What a wacky scene at The Trop last night after the Yankees' 16-1 win.
Joe Torre dropped the news of Randy Johnson's achy back postgame, and by the time he was done talking Johnson was already out of the clubhouse. So a few of us ran off through the tunnel in search of the team bus. Once we got outside, the first buses we found were for the Devil Rays, but then we turned left and there was Randy, standing in front of the bus, already talking with a reporter.
It's not everyday you have to chase a player down by the buses and I give Randy credit for talking with us. He could have dismissively waved us off and entered the bus. Instead he talked, with the sound of the bus' engine loudly idling in the background. It felt like a scene from one of those low-budget reality shows.
On a separate note, Joe Torre seemed to indicate yesterday that Andy Phillips has the inside track to make the postseason roster.
Torre said he is putting a great deal of importance on defense for the last player, which makes sense given Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi are defensive liabilities. Miguel Cairo also will be on the roster and has been playing a lot of first base, but Torre rated Phillips as his best option for defense late in the game.
Comments (4)
I'll take guiel over phillips just for the simple fact that he can play 1st base and the outfield. Cairo is the sure bet for the rest of them cuz he can play muiltiple positions in the infield
Phillips is certainly an excellent defensive substitution late in the game, but unfortunately we have to be ahead in order to make this move. When Mussina, Johnson, and possibly Wright are starting, we will need all the offense we can muster. If Wang starts games 1 and possibly 5, Phillips will most likely get in. Otherwise, late in the game, Torre will be looking down the bench for "sticks" not "gloves".
Yay, I'm glad Phillips will be on the roster.
Phillips is solid with the bat, if given the chance to play regularly.
Eric,
Even if he makes the roster, Phillips is not going to be playing regularly, he'll be there for his glove and it will be after the 6th inning if he makes it to a game.