No word yet on whether Carl Pavano will actually show up today -- he's in New York to be checked out by team physician Stuart Hershon -- but if he does come to Yankee Stadium he has a present waiting for him in his locker.
Six back pages from the New York tabloids -- complete with his photo and headlines screaming "Crash Test Dummy" -- are taped to his clubhouse locker wall, right next to his clean Yankees No. 45 jersey. So if after what has happened, if you still don't believe his teammates think he's a joke, this display should finally convince you.
UPDATE: 12:55 p.m.
Just rode the elevator with Brian Cashman and Hershon, who presumably were on their way back from the appointment with Pavano. Cashman wouldn't comment on how it went, but indicated they would probably have something to say later in the day. He also did not think Pavano was coming here today. Just my guess on what may come today, and it's just a guess: they shut down Pavano for the season...
UPDATE: 7:05 p.m.
Pavano never came. And he won't for a while. He's been dispatched to Tampa and won't be allowed to throw off a mound for two weeks, essentially ending any shot (however slim it ever was) of him pitching for the Yankees this season. Looks as if his locker wallpaper will have to stay up for a while.
Comments (21)
With the info you provided about the contents of his locker provided by the players. Carl Pavano is gone from pinstripes. The Yankees should dump him for whatever. There is no way he can ever remedy this situation that he has made. Fans are one thing. The players are another. This is a very bad situation. Pavano makes decisions as if he has a 15 year old mentallity.
How long before A-Rod is blamed for Pavano's accident?
agree with larry. pavano can't come back into that locker room. he becomes a distraction in september if he's here. jaret wright has been a warrior despite his walks on the wild side. let's dance with who brung us!
Even if Pavano threw a perfect game with Columbus he has no business being around the team as a distraction and disrupt the good chemistry the Yankees are riding on.
Cashman should peddle him over the winter to the 1st taker that will give him a decent minor leaguer. Even pay a portion of his remaining contract. Just so long as he never wears a Yankee uniform again.
Void the contract! Void the contract! Clone Chin Min Wang. If I were in that clubhouse nicked up and exhausted, THAT GUY had better not stroll in and sit down. I was hoping he could provide some depth, yet now I hope he plays in the National League so we can drill him in the side during interleague play.
Pavano's current "rib roast" may be a blessing in disguise, because just like last year's mash unit patient, Kevin Brown, the Yankees don’t need Pavano pitching in the post season.
Does Torre really have to bring Proctor in both games of a doubleheader when you're up by 8 and a half going in and Villone is pitching well. I hope Proctor has something left for the postseason.
Where was Mariano with two outs in the ninth...Since this game counts as two games in the standings, it could wind up costing the Yankees home field advantage if they play the Tigers in the post season...Remember last year's final game when Torre started Jared Wright instead of Messina and the Yankees lost the game and home field against the Angels.
The Mariano with two outs in the ninth thing is bit of a second guess but overall, I DO think that Torre is simply too overrated and just not that good of a manager.
Just like A-Rod, he seems to be getting worst with each passing year. Unlike Alex however, Torre is not likely to get any better from here on.
I think they should get rid of Torre (I don't think it's going to happen though, esp. if they win again this year) and if Joe Girardi becomes available, then they should go after him.
They shouldn't bother with Lou Piniella.
He is not what they need.
For some reason, I just have a vision of the Yankees pulling off a bunch of World Championships with Girardi as the manager.
Oops. ^ That was me again.
I guess I'll click on this "Remember personal info" to see if it'll work next time.
Jim-
I stumbled upon the site recently and it has quickly turned into a daily read.
Funny stuff and very informative on the little details behind the scenes that fans like me want to read.
Keep up the good work.
Anon:
Couldn't disagree more with wanting Torre gone.
The guy has managed this team to a playoff appearance since the day he was hired and he has 6 WS appearances with 4 rings to boot.
That doesn't happen by mistake or sheer luck.
What other managers in recent memory have that same kind of managerial success?
The guy is almost definitely going to the HOF based on his managerial success ALONE, not even taking into consideration how good of a player that he was during his playing career.
Also, the next manager of the NY Yankees (when Torre decides to retire) is going to be Donnie Baseball.
IMO, the idea of being the successor of Torre as Yankee manager is the biggest reason why he came back to baseball.
Book it. He will be their next manager when Torre leaves.
Anon:
Couldn't disagree more with wanting Torre gone.
The guy has managed this team to a playoff appearance since the day he was hired and he has 6 WS appearances and 4 rings to boot.
That doesn't happen by mistake or sheer luck.
What other managers in recent memory have that same kind of managerial success?
The guy is almost definitely going to the HOF based on his managerial success ALONE, not even taking into consideration how good of a player that he was during his playing career.
Also, the next manager of the NY Yankees (when Torre decides to retire) is going to be Donnie Baseball.
IMO, the idea of being the successor of Torre as Yankee manager is the biggest reason why he came back to baseball.
Book it. He will be their next manager when Torre leaves.
Donny will always be a hitting instructor because that is what he is best at. I don't even think anyone in the organization considers him a managerial candidate, nor does he. Joe Girardi should and will replace Mazz as bench coach with Mazz going to a sideline whichever of the other two, probably Pena takes a better job somewhere else or Bowa retires, or manages at another level. Girardi will be the next manager if Willie's contract doesn't expire first. Lou is done. The bullpen mess isn't all Joe's fault or call.Gator is even quicker to show disdain for a player. Have faith, some days the pen doesnt get it done but you cant pull Mo out twice in the same day. The warmup and cooldown need to be monitered.
Mattingly could most certainly be the next manager. He is not just a great hitting coach but he knows the game of baseball just as good as anyone out there.
Why the hell do you think they call him Donnie Baseball? He is a very strong consideration for taking over after Torre.
I guess enough said about this topic of Pavano. But it does lead to pitching. Last night I watched Proctor pitch the 9th inning of the second game. Always the announcers indicate that he is in the top ten as are two other Yankee pitchers in appearances in the league. Remember, he had to warm up in the the first game. I have said it before Joe must learn to trust his players. We are eight games up now. Its time to give Vallone and Proctor some time off. I can recall watching Flash Gordon in the playoffs last year struggling against the Angels.
I know that I said enough about Pavano. Just think about the way Aaron Guiel was steamed roll from behind at first base by Casey. Now picture Pavano taking the throw. I sat there and just laughed.
Face it. Glass Carl is useless, gutless and stupid. He has no use for this team. Legal needs to use any out clause they can.
Dear whomever: They dont call Mattingly "Donnie Baseball" because he is a mangerial candidate. It's kinda like "Charlie Hustle" or the "splendid splinter". This is the 1st year the guy has ever coached and he has never managed a game on any level. How can you say he is a serious consideration for manager of the Yankees? How also can you make that statement at all? Do you work for the Yankee organization? Someday down the line if Donnie performs his coaching duties as well as he is and maybe spends a season or two managing Columbus or Trenton he MAY get a shot. Personally it is my opininion that he is not a manager just a great coach.
Andy:
I found a lot of contradictions in your posts.
First of all, "Donnie Baseball" got his nickname in the mid 1980s, so that was roughly 20 years prior to him becoming the Yankees hitting coach.
Regardless, what does his nickname have anything to do with his qualifications as a potential manager?
It made me chuckle to see that both of your examples of past ballplayers with similar nicknames (Charlie Hustle and Splendid Splinter) were BOTH managers after their playing careers, with Rose being a player/manager for a short while and Ted Williams managing the Senators back in the 1960s.
Secondly, it is NOT Mattingly’s first year as the Yankees hitting coach. This is his THIRD year as the hitting coach.
You also asked these questions:
“How can you say he is a serious consideration for manager of the Yankees? How also can you make that statement at all? Do you work for the Yankee organization?”
However, you contradicted yourself in a previous post:
“Donny will always be a hitting instructor because that is what he is best at. I don't even think anyone in the organization considers him a managerial candidate, nor does he.”
Tell me exactly how do YOU know that Mattingly is ONLY going to be the hitting coach and nobody in the organization (including Mattingly himself) considers him a managerial candidate?
How do you know that? Do YOU work with the organization?
It is not a prerequisite to have minor league managerial experience to be a major league manager.
Girardi didn’t have minor league managerial experience prior to being hired as the Marlins manager. Willie Randolph is another who didn't have that experience prior to becoming the manager of the Mets.
Ironically, these two guys with no minor league managerial experience are the top two candidates for NL Manager of the Year this year. I guess that’s not too bad for not having managerial experience prior to getting hired.
You also stated that Joe Girardi “should and will replace Mazz as bench coach.”
You mean to tell me that the current manager of the Florida Marlins is going to become the next BENCH COACH of the Yankees?
Yes, I know he may be fired at the end of the season, but why in the hell would Girardi settle for Yankees bench coach when he’s obviously proven that he can manage in the majors?
That makes no sense whatsoever. He’s not going to pass up an opportunity to manage another team in order to come back to the Yankees and play second fiddle to Joe Torre.
He's not going to get fired because he did a terrible job. It's because he and the owner/GM of the Marlins doesn't see eye-to-eye.
In my opinion, if Girardi does indeed get fired from the Marlins after the season, other teams are going to jump all over him and he will have his choice of managerial jobs elsewhere.
I would bet the ranch that he will end up becoming the next manager of the Chicago Cubs because Dusty Baker will not be coming back next season.
I also believe Girardi still lives in Chicago, not to mention that he played in that town for years and graduated from Northwestern. He has a lot of old ties with Chicago and that Cubs organization and I think it is a natural fit for him.
Of course, this theory of mine is NULL if the Marlins decide to retain Girardi for next season.
Wow anaconda, you took the words right out of my mouth.
The fact is, none of us really know what kind of a coach/manager donnie is or will be. We are not in the club house and we have very little insight as to what goes on there.
This is Girardi's first year and he has already exceeded expectations for a marlin club that is comprised of all young talent. They still have a very good shot at making the wild card if they stay hot. Since Girardi is this close to getting such a young club to the playoffs I highly doubt they will compromise what they have achieved with Girardi to go out and take a chance with another manager. Give the Marlins two years and they will probably be given another chance to win a world championship.
By the way, from listening to interviews and reading articles my impression of Mattingly is that he is one of the most knowledgable people when it comes to baseball and someday he will make a great manager whether it be with the Yanks or someone else. But that is only my interpertation from what i read and hear.
I have no opinion one way or the other about Don Mattingly being a mgr., not yet at least. He has the head for it. Just to remind you Don Baylor was a hitting instructor for awhile and became a mgr. I believe the best managerial talent comes from the catching position. He knows pitchers, sees the game unfold in front of him. Watches the good and the bad plays. Usually, a guy with a pure love for the game. Some names to think about Yogi, Torre, Soscia, Penna and Girardi. One guy who mystifies me is Guillen. He gets it done in a nonconforming way. Getting back to Yogi. He was not attractive to putting people in the seats like Billy Martin and Yankee brass was just waiting for an excuse to yank him.