February 15, 2007
Unhappy Campers
Mike Mussina isn't sticking up for a teammate:
Carl Pavano insisted today that his reputation and standing in the Yankees clubhouse is fine, and that any mention to the contrary is a creation by the media.
A few lockers away, Mike Mussina disputed that notion with shocking honesty, questioning Pavano's will to pitch for the Yankees.
"I'm just looking at it from the way each thing happened and the timing of each, and you form your own evaluation," Mussina said of Pavano's past injuries. "It didn't look good from a players and teammates standpoint. It didn't look good. Was everything just coincidence? Over and over again? I don't know."
Mussina said he did not think Pavano deserved the benefit of doubt, at least not from him.
"I want to see that he wants to do it," Mussina said.
He went on to detail all the Yankees, including himself, who pitched or played hurt over the last two years. I find this highly unusual. There's been plenty of teammates who hated each other over the years, but they tried to keep it private until it boiled over. Mussina going on the attack here makes me think Pavano's days with the Yankees are numbered.
Posted by David Pinto at
09:47 PM
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I think you are right on...he is on as good as gone. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
You know what...given that Gil Meche got 5 years/55 million, he actually might be a bargain for someone if the Yankees pick up a few bucks of his salary.
I'm not saying this to stick up for Carl Pavano, but Mussina calling out a teammate........that's rich.
This from a guy who partied in an Anaheim bar (pictures on the On the DL blog for all you who need to see them) the night he was sent ahead of the team "to rest" while they were playing the Angels in 2002 ALDS. He proceeded to give the Yanks four whole innings, giving up four runs in the process....Great teammate, Mike....
If I were a Yankee fan than I'm saying "Good Riddance to Pavano", but Mussina's a pud for not saying that to Pavano's face. They've won exactly how many World Series since Mussina's been there? Pavano should have hit him over the head with a chair right then and there. Mighta made his moving plans sail along a bit quicker....
Stabbing teammates in the back as they try to make a comeback ... what a great teammate! Always remember Mike, Pavano's got one thing you don't - a WS ring
Slow down, guys. A little backstory is necessary. A few weeks ago, Mussina was asked whether Pavano needed to build some bridges in the clubhouse, and Mussina said, in no uncertain terms, that he absolutely did.
Then Carl said, no, he was cool with all his teammates.
Then, more recently, Torre and Posada have said similar things to what Mussina said.
Then, yesterday, Carl worked out and bragged about how he was cool with all of his teammates and didn't need to prove anything, etc. etc., even though he was a running joke in the clubhouse.
So then they go back to Mussina and ask him again. I'm not sure what else he would say. He already said Carl needed to earn his respect. His manager and his catcher said the same thing.
And Carl is denying it. Is Mussina supposed to eat his words and contradict his manager and catcher to "have Carl's back"? Or should he be clear to the guy who needs to build bridges that he needs to build bridges?
I don't know that the Yanks need Mussina to be any sort of leader, but I appreciate his honesty.
Joeboo, Mussina's partying occurred way before the Angels series. Don't let the facts get in the way of anything.
Yankee fans always amaze. Loved the way Jeter, Giambi and others, including the manager, piled on ARod last season. Exactly what you want your team captain and manager doing.
I'm surprised it is Mussina rather than Torre laying down ground rules for Pavano. Pavano has had quite a run of bad luck, some of it undoubtedly self inflicted by placing himself in harm's way. He's motivated again this season as his contract will expire. He's proven he knows what he needs to do to gain a great contract. Now likely the time to buy, not sell.
Bill
Nick, that's funny, I didn't see you in the pictures......Don't let your mancrush on Mikey get in the way of anything, either.......
Mussina is an ass. Pavano was there, talk to him, not the jackass reporters. This does nothing to help the team, especially if they are shopping him. This Mussina vendeta would make more sense if he was worried about his spot in the rotation. In any uniform Pavano will out pitch the backstabbing Moose the season, and forward.