What If?
I know you are all excited that the Yankees have signed Russ Ortiz (ok, maybe not) but what if there was another option?
I read this story about Ian Kennedy throwing off a "mini-mound" and it got me thinking. What if Kennedy could pitch for the Yankees in September?
Now before you call me crazy, consider these facts. Kennedy had the exact problem David Cone had in 1996. He had the surgery performed almost 13-years to the day that Cone did in 1996 by the exact same surgeon. In 1996, Cone came back and pitched for the Yankees on September 2nd (what a start that was, he didn't allow a hit through seven)
Of course players are different and heal at different rates, but maybe there's a chance? History would certainly suggest it could happen. We shall see.
(BTW- kudos to the Yankees for having a sense of humor. Tonight's Text Poll is "Depending on his performance tonight, should Sergio Mitre's rotation spot be in jeopardy?" I hope they give me the home numbers of anyone who texts "no". I would like to have a talk with those folks.)
Comments
the Yankees signed Ortiz! He's juiced!!!
oh, sorry...
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 5, 2009 08:42 PM
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I see a difference between Cone and Ike. Cone was a 10 year veteran when he went down. He knew how to pitch but his body failed him so all he had to do was get his body back in shape to get back to work. Yeah, that's a heck of an oversimplification but I think it applies. Ike is a AAA pitcher who hasn't yet been deemed ready to pitch in the bigs.
So my question is: was Ike ready to contribute before the surgery? If the answer is yes, then yep, he might be able to contribute. If no, then I would send him to Arizona to get some work in and take another look at him in the spring. Could it happen? Sure! But I'd bet against it.
And there goes a long HR off the bat of Lind ... well, we got 4.1 innings out of him this time.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 5, 2009 08:47 PM
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Totally fair, Mitchell. Cone was also DAVID CONE. Kennedy hasn't shown a lot of heart yet. But, stranger things have happened.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 5, 2009 09:08 PM
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Cone was a true gamer. Know who else I think is a gamer? Mitre. This guy is willing to go out there every five days a little over a year after his TJ surgery. I think it's an indication of just how dry the farm system is that they bring this guy up to fill in as the number 5 guy. In a way I hope they keep this guy around somehow and then take another look at him in March. He'll be much stronger.
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 5, 2009 10:01 PM
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Fair point Mitchell. I don't give him as much credit for being out there as you do, but the look in March isn't a bad idea. (Can we just agree that we don't have to look again UNTIL March?)
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 5, 2009 11:16 PM
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Oh YEAH, we can certainly agree on that. Mitre needs to rehab in Scranton ...
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 6, 2009 08:31 AM
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