WS Perfect Game Pitcher Don Larsen passes away at age 90.

Don Larsen, who authored the only perfect game in WS history on October 8, 1956, has passed away from esophageal cancer at the age of 90. The only other pitcher to throw a postseason no-hitter was Roy Halladay in the NLDS in 2010.

Larsen pitched for the Browns (1953), Orioles (1954), Yankees (1955-1959) KC A’s (1960-1961) White Sox (1961), Giants (1962-1964) Colt .45s/Astros (Houston was called the Colt .45s before going into the Astrodome–1964/1965), Orioles again (1965), and Cubs (1967).

He pitched in five WS, and was part of two WS Champions in 1956 and 1958. He won the 1956 WS MVP.

Pitching on the last St. Louis Browns team in 1953, and the first Baltimore Oriole team of 1954, he went 10-33 in those years, losing a MLB leading 21 in 1954.

But things changed when he was traded to the Yankees, for whom he went 45-24 in the next five years, and for whom he pitched that perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series—-a game my father attended. Things got rough again after leaving the Yanks, as he went 1-10 in 1960. Pitching on poor teams before and after pitching for the Yankees hurt Larsen’s career numbers.

For his career, Larsen had an 81-91 record, ERA 3.78, ERA+ 99. His 162 game average would be 48 games, 20 starts. 9-11, 3.78.

He pitched in 10 WS games, starting 6. He was 4-2, 2.75 in WS play, and started Game 7 of both the 1957 (loss) and 1958 (ND) World Series for the Yankees.

He pitched seven shutout innings in winning Game 3 of the 1958 WS.

Larsen was also a good hitting pitcher, hitting .242 with 14 HR in his career. In 1958, he hit .306 with 4 HR.

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Would be remiss in not pointing out the passing away of David Stern, age 77, former NBA commissioner who suffered a brain hemorrhage 3 weeks ago.

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There hasn’t been much action on the Yankees’ front, so an update on the HOF voting, via a tracker set up by Ryan Thibodaux:

With 115 votes, 27.9% counted, as of now, these ex-players would reach the 75% necessary to get in:

Derek Jeter, 100%
Larry Walker 86.1%
Curt Schilling 79.1%
Barry Bonds 76.5%
Roger Clemens 76.5%

As late ballots come in, and some voters remain anonymous, those numbers generally DROP, thus really putting Schilling, Bonds and Clemens all on the bubble.

Bonds and Clemens will have some voters, especially the anonymous ones, NOT voting on them because of steroid suspicions.

We’ll see if Jeter continues at 100% and joins Mariano Rivera as a unanimous selection.

Not getting one vote so far are sluggers Jason Giambi, Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko and Alfonso Soriano—all of whom hit over 400 HR in their careers.

 

Cubs force Game 7 of WS; Russell’s 6 RBI ties record.

Addison Russell tied a WS record (with Bobby Richardson and Hideki Matsui) of 6 RBI in a game as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians 9-3 in Game 6 of the World Series to force Game 7 tonight.

I just wonder what the TV ratings will be like. The Cubs are trying to comeback from being down three games to one. Only the 1925 Pirates, 1958 Yankees, 1968 Tigers, 1979 Pirates and 1985 Royals have won a WS after being down 3 games to 1.

The Cubs got 3 runs in the first. Kris Bryant homered with two out on an 0-2 pitch, and after a couple of singles, Russell’s pop fly fell between two outfielders for a gift two-run double.

Russell hit a grand slam in the third. It was the first WS grand slam since Paul Konerko of the White Sox did it in 2005.

The Indians got a run in the fourth on a Mike Napoli single and another in the fifth on a Jason Kipnis HR to cut it to 7-2.

Anthony Rizzo hit a two-run HR in the ninth to make it 9-2 Cubs. The Indians got a run in the bottom of the ninth on a Roberto Perez single.

Bryant had four hits, Rizzo three.

Aroldis Chapman came in in the seventh and pitched 1 1/3 innings.

Jason Kipnis had three of Cleveland’s six hits.

WS Game 3: KC goes up 2 games to 1 with a 3-2 win.

Alcides Escobar had two hits and scored two runs, and KC’s bullpen tossed four innings of no-hit ball as the Royals beat the Giants in Game 3 of the WS Friday night 3-2 to take a 2 games to 1 lead in the World Series.

Game 4 Saturday night.

Surprising news today as Joe Maddon opted out of his contract as manager of the Rays. He won’t be out of work long.

Kevin Long signs on as hitting coach for the Mets, not too long after the Yanks let him go.

Jimmy Rollins and Paul Konerko share the Roberto Clemente Award for giving back to the community.

Game 137. “Huff” and Puff! Yanks blow away White Sox, 9-1.

Phil Hughes only lasted 1 1/3 innings, but it wasn’t because he was knocked out early again.

It was the weather that did it. A rain delay forced Hughes to leave.

David Huff came in and was great, going 5 2/3, giving up 1 R, 5 H, 0 walks and 3 K in going to 2-0, 3.32.

Hughes had gone 1 1/3, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 0 K, 4.86.

The Yanks got a run in the first on a double by Gardner and a single by Jeter (3312). Jeter’s single broke an 0 for 14 skid.

The Yanks broke it open in the fourth when they scored eight runs. A-Rod doubled. Wells got an infield single and Granderson walked to load the bases. Reynolds got an infield single to make it 2-0, and Romine singled in two. 4-0. Gardner got yet another double, 5-0. Jeter got an infield single, (hit 3313, two behind Eddie Collins, six behind Paul Molitor), 6-0. After Cano popped up, Soriano doubled one in to make it 7-0. A-Rod walked to load the bases, and an error by Adam Dunn enabled two runs to score. 9-0.

Chicago’s Paul Konerko hit a HR for the White Sox in the seventh to make it 9-1. It was Konerko’s 432nd HR, passing Cal Ripken, Jr. on the all-time list.

Cesar Cabral made his MLB debut, 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 walks and 2 K. 0.00.

J.R. Murphy singled in his first MLB at bat.

Adam Warren finished up. 1 IP, 0 R, 0 h, 1 walk and 0 K. 3.66.

Game 123. Bleep Youk! Yanks lose 7-3.

It doesn’t matter what sox Kevin “Bleep Youk” ilis wears, Yankee fans will hate him.

Such was the case tonight as he hit a grand slam off of Ivan Nova to beat the Yanks 7-3.

As was the case last night, the Yanks got off to a lead. Derek Jeter led off the game with a HR. That HR set some milestones. First of all, hit #3256 enabled Jeter to pass Eddie Murray on the all-time list and make Derek #11 on the all-time list in hits. He’s now 27 behind the “Say Hey” kid, Willie Mays.

Secondly, HR #12 of the season was #252 of his career. That enabled him to tie a few people on the all-time list, two names of which should be very familiar to Yankees’ fans—Bobby Murcer and Joe Torre.

The Yanks proceeded to load the bases in that first inning, but got only one more run out of the deal on a Granderson force out.

Staked to a 2-0 lead, Nova was lucky to get out of the first without giving up a run. A single and walk put runners on 1st and second, no out. On a WP, DeWayne Wise (our old buddy) moved to third, but Kevin Youkilis was thrown out at second. Bleep Youk would get his revenge later. Dunn struck out and then a groundout by Konerko and Nova was out of danger.

However Nova gave up a leadoff triple and SF to start the second. 2-1 Yanks.

In the fourth, Paul Konerko tied the game with a HR. I believe that Konerko is the most underrated, least talked about superstar in baseball today. How many of you realize that the HR Konerko hit tonight was #417 of his career? That he has a .283 lifetime B.A.? That he was the 2005 ALCS MVP? Despite all that, he’s only been top 10 for the MVP award twice. His OPS+ for his career is 122. His 162 g. average is .283-32-102. Solid. But he is so overlooked, IMHO.

To the sixth, and that man “Bleep Youk”ilis, hit a grand slam to make it 6-2. For all intensive purposes, that was the ballgame.

Nova 6 IP, 6R, 7H, 2 walks and 3 K. 11-7, 4.92.

The Yanks have to either straighten him out or replace him in the rotation with Phelps.

Of course, when Pettitte is ready, they can then replace Garcia.

But one thing is apparent. Phelps should stay in this rotation, and someone, be it Nova or Garcia, should go. As of now, in my mind, Nova should go. Garcia should stay until Pettitte is ready.

Meanwhile, 39 yr. old Ramon Ortiz, not on the 40-man roster, has gone 12-5, 3.13 at AAA SWB. I’m not sold on the age and his recent record, but there’s no doubt that he’s done well and deserves to come up.

One other move: I advocated Kelvin Perez come up for Joba yesterday. Joba has a 9.45 ERA since being called back to the majors. Perez is at 1.03 combined AA/AAA this year.

Russell Martin homered (#14) in the seventh to make it 6-3. One thing is for sure. Unless he gets on a hot streak, Martin, at .196, looks like he’ll set a Yankees record for most HR in a season for a Yankee who didn’t hit .200.

Derek Lowe finished up. 2 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 1 walk and 2 K. ERA (combined Cle/NYY) 5.34.

Some observations: first of all, Robbie Cano has to get it together. With tonight’s 0 for 4, he is 3 for his last 32.

Secondly, and this goes for all the A-Rod haters: the Yanks are suffering right now vs. lefty starters. Liriano pitched tonight, Lester the other night. Price is coming up.

With a righty on the mound right now, Ichiro, Chavez and Ibanez are in the lineup.

Tonight? Those three are on the bench, replaced by Jones (.215 after tonight’s game), Nix (who has done Ok, but is at .250) and McGehee (.226 combined between Pittsburgh and the Yankees).

HUGE, HUGE dropoff.

Then there is someone who, as a righty hitter, should help vs. lefties. Russell Martin (who did HR tonight). But Martin has a .196 batting average.

Look at that again. Vs. Lefty starters, you don’t have A-Rod, out with the broken hand. You have Ichiro, Chavez and Ibanez on the bench, replaced by Nix, Jones and McGehee. Jones and McGehee are each hitting below .230, joined by the .196 hitting Martin.

Ouch.

I advocated for Ronnier Mustelier from SWB a few weeks back, but he hit a slump (down to .282 at SWB) and now has hit SWB’s DL for the second time.

The Yanks need the righty bats to pick it up.

They also need Cano to be Cano.

They also need to straighten out Nova or replace him in the rotation with Phelps.

Game 76. Rough debut for Warren, Yanks lose 14-7.

It was a rough debut for Adam Warren, and the pen didn’t help much either.

It was a nice start. Warren struck out the first MLB batter he faced, got the next hitter, then walked two batters. He got out of the first unscathed. Then, in the bottom of the inning, the Yanks gave the kid a cushion. Double by Jeter. Hit #3185 put him 13th on the all-time hits list, surpassing Cal Ripken, Jr. Granderson hit #22. 2-0 Yanks. Later in the inning Andruw Jones hit a 2-run double. So after one inning, Warren had a 4-0 lead. Great.

Then the roof caved in. The first batter in the second, Pierzynski, homered. Single, Single, double for two. Groundout for a run. Tie game.

Then Warren gave up two more runs in the third. Konerko homered off him. Konerko, so underrated, now has 410 career HR.

Warren only lasted 2 1/3, 6 R, 8 H, 2 walks and 1 K. ERA 23.14.

What tees me off is the people on blogs who wrote he sucks, he blows, trade him, etc. It’s his major league debut. He’s 24. Cut him some slack. If, in two or three years, he doesn’t prove himself, then… but on his MLB debut? What impatience.

David Phelps came in, and the Yanks actually tied the game at six on a two-run double by Jayson Nix. Phelps however, couldn’t keep it tied as Pierzynski hit another HR off him.

Phelps (1-3)  3 1/3, 2 R, 4H, 1 walk and 5 K. ERA up to 3.16. Not great, but he may replace Warren in the rotation next time around. He took the loss.

Rapada came in, faced one batter, got him out. 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks and 0 K. 3.09.

Wade replaced Rapada, and Wade has some major issues. He’s really been bad lately, and tonight was no exception. 2 1/3 IP, 6 R, 7 H, 1 walk, 3 K and the ERA BALLONS TO 5.79. When he did this,  I thought that when Aardsma is ready that Aardsma wouldn’t replace Eppley—Eppley would stay—but that he’d replace Wade on July 19th or thereabouts.

WAIT ONE MINUTE.

For the Yanks shut down David Aardsma tonight. Aardsma, coming back from TJ surgery, pitched well in three rehab outings for the GCL Yankees but now the elbow started barking a bit. So forget about July 19th for him to return. More like August. It’s like the arm said, “not so fast…” Too bad. The way Wade is going, Aardsma for Wade sounded like a very real possibility. Wade had a good ERA until recently, but he’s gone from Sub-3.00 to 5.79 in a heartbeat.

Down 14-7, Girardi didn’t want to waste another bullpen member for two outs.

So he brought in Dewayne Wise, and Wise turned out to be the best Yankees pitcher of the night, retiring both men he faced.

Wise 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 walks, 0 K, but an ERA of 0.00!

Hey, over 162 games, you have games that are laughers, and games where you just stink the joint out.

But look out Logan and Rapada. The Yanks found a lefty reliever (just kidding).

Pena going to Cubs; Konerko back with White Sox

MLB.com is reporting that it appears as if Carlos Pena may have a one-year $10M deal with the Cubs, while Paul Konerko’s chances of staying in Chicago (with the White Sox) may be dwindling.

I guess the Orioles are still in on Konerko?

You wonder if Carl Crawford is a bit ticked at how slowly the Lee deal is progressing. It seems to many that Lee is 1A and Carl 1B. Are the Angels now in on Lee? You wonder if there actually is a mystery team or if it’s a bunch of B.S. from Lee’s agent trying to drive up the price. 

Forget about Matt Diaz to the Yankees. He’s going to Pittsburgh.

Dennis Reyes to Phils soon, Wil Nieves to Milw. (per MLBTR). Mets get Ronny Paulino and D.J. Carrasco.

Update: White Sox and Konerko work it out. 3 yr. 37.5M. 

Update II: Jack Cust to Mariners, Francoeur to KC.

Konerko to stay with Chisox?

MLBTR is reporting that Paul Konerko may stay with the White Sox. With their recent acquisition of Adam Dunn, it would give Chicago a 1-2 power punch. Chicago also this week retained A.J. Pierzynski.

The Orioles were also rumored interested in Konerko, but this would continue the string of players not going to Baltimore.

MLBTR also had interesting news on free agent Chien Ming Wang, who was non-tendered by the Nats:

the righty received some good reviews this fall following his recovery from shoulder surgery. One scout who watched the ex-Yankee pitch in instructional league action said he looked “filthy.”

It’s been a year and a half since he pitched in the majors, and that 2009 season was a disaster for Wang. You hope he can somehow get some of his stuff back after the two 19-win seasons he had for the Yanks.

Yanks re-sign Mitre, have others to consider; also upping offer on Jeter?

Hmm, more meatballs to be served?

 

The Yanks signed Sergio Mitre (Meat Tray) to a $900K deal which apparently means we see him serve up more meat balls. Last year for the Yanks he was 0-3, 3.33. He did seem to find his proper role, however. As a starter (3 games), 0-2, 5.93. But in relief as a long-reliever/mop-up man, Mitre went 0-1, 2.45. I feel as if that is the best place for him—the ONLY place.

From MLB.com:

Dustin Moseley will have his status examined as Thursday’s 11:59 p.m. ET deadline to tender contracts for the 2011 season approaches. Late Wednesday, Sergio Mitre agreed to $900,000 deal with the club and could earn an additional $200,000 in incentives, according to a tweet by ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.

New York must also offer deals to Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and Boone Logan by that point. If a player is not tendered a contract, he immediately becomes a free agent and can negotiate with any team.

The question is whether they tender Moseley. You know they will the others (heck, right now Hughes is the #2 starter).

From Mlb.com again:

Finishing 4-4 with a 4.96 ERA in 16 games (nine starts), Moseley recorded all of his decisions in starting efforts. As a reliever, Moseley had a 3.77 ERA over 14 1/3 innings.

Moseley also pitched two scoreless innings of relief in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, earning his first postseason victory when the Yankees stunned the Rangers with a five-run eighth inning to post a 6-5 win.

It appears as if Derek Jeter may be getting a bit of a better offer from the Yankees. The Yanks may want this over and done with so that they can focus on Lee next week (not to mention Rivera and Pettitte). Apparently the sides met for hours on Tuesday and the Yanks may up the $$ but not the years. Maybe from $45M to $50M. The years are a solid sticking point. The Yanks don’t want more than three (at which point Jeter would be 39). It’s interesting to read that MLB is happy with the Yanks’ offer to Jeter—even if Jeter may not be.

Adam Dunn has signed with the White Sox (4 yr, $56M), which leads me to believe that they couldn’t get Paul Konerko back. MLBTR reports that the Orioles have been hot on the trail of Konerko, who had a great year in 2010. (.312-39-111). Konerko will be 35 next year and has 365 MLB HR. That bandbox in Baltimore may be a good fit for him. MLBTR also reports that White Sox GM Kenny Williams confirmed to Joe Cowley (yup, the same i—t who had Jeter so far down on his 2006 MVP ballot) of the Chicago Sun-Times that the team could re-sign Konerko, even after locking up Adam Dunn. I don’t know. I thought Dunn didn’t want to DH, which he most likely would do if Konerko returned (Dunn in the OF? Ugh). I think Konerko is gone. The Cubs are apparently looking at Konerko, too.

Eric Hinske re-signed with the Braves. Takahashi close to an Angels’ deal. Varitek back to Boston (to finish his career?)

Bobby Jenks is now a free agent. Nice addition for the ‘pen to replace Wood? It’d be nice, but he probably still wants to close. I don’t know if the Yanks would kick the tires on the big guy.

ESPN’s new Sunday night broadcast team: Dan Shulman, Orel Hershiser and Bobby V. Hey, beats Morgan.

  

Game 59. Yanks @ Orioles Lineup. Gardner day to day. Rumors…

Before the game, Brett Gardner had his sore thumb (he was removed from last night’s game) X-rayed. Thank goodness. Negative.

Tonight’s lineup (through raindrops in Baltimore). Due to working late, just the lineup:

Derek Jeter SS
Nick Swisher RF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada DH
Curtis Granderson CF
Francisco Cervelli C
Kevin Russo LF

LHP CC Sabathia (5-3, 4.14)

The Pirates brought up Jose Tabata. The one-time Yankees prospect makes his MLB debut today. You may remember that Tabata had a very strange marriage…

Rumors abound. M’s scouting Yankees. Lee? (I don’t see it. Wait until the end of the year, get him as a free agent. Why give up prospects in July for what you can get in November for no prospects? Besides, Yanks deny interest. Who would leave the rotation? Vazquez? Where would he go? Bullpen to replace Aceves (who may not be back this year?)) Other rumors deal with DH. Berkman (Astros in this weekend) and Konerko. As far as Lee goes, the Mariners supposedly would want Montero or Romine, and Eduardo Nunez (per NY Post).    

 Gardner eligible for D and PR of course.