Steve made a great point in an email during last night’s game. Manny Ramirez owns Mike Mussina this season. Much like Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi owns Boston Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin this year. Only this is much worse.
In his last 2 games against Mussina this season, Manny is 4-for-4, with 3 home runs, a double, 3 runs scored and 6 RBIs. What baffles me is why the Yankees let Mussina continue to pitch to him.
Here is the video goodness of Manny’s home runs courtesy of NESN. After the first home run while in the dugout, Manny shows some love to Dustin Pedroia by giving him a hug. Thankfully, Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy didn’t lose it.
After the jump is video of the incident in the 7th inning on a pitch thrown by Kyle Farnsworth towards Manny and the reaction after the game.
In the 7th inning, Farnsworth decided to be the idiot he is and throw behind the head of Manny. Here is the clip of the pitch, including Josh Beckett making a mental note of what happened as well the reaction to what happened from Terry Francona, Joe Girardi and Farnsworth himself.
Here’s another one for you from Steve’s Stats Bureau, Manny in his last 26 official AB’s vs Mussina is 13 for 26 with 4HRS and 11 RBI.
Mussina has crashed and burned much quicker than most pitchers of his caliber. He doesn’t appear to have anything left in the tank. If he continues this way and some team gives him $$$ for next year they are very very stupid.
He was never a hard thrower but he was smart, had good control and could get guys out. Now he throws like a beer softball league pitcher, his control has left him and he seems to have no command at all.
Its sad to see because he had a good career but it is really a lot of fun watching the Sox, especially Manny, beat him like a rented moose.
And dont worry Sox fans because several pitchers made note of Farnsworth throwing at Manny. Its not a matter of when but its a matter of who gets to return the favor and who they’re gonna drill.
I’d put even money on Beckett drilling Jeter, Abreau or Rodriguez the next chance he gets.