By GEORGE KING
Josh Phelps has won the numbers battle with a better spring than Andy Phillips. But Phillips deserves to be Doug Mientkiewicz’s backup at first.
For all the geeks who live in the black and white world of baseball, Josh Phillips has to be the Yankeesâ backup first baseman over Andy Phillips. Yet, the choice here to play first when Joe Torre sits Doug Mientkiewicz is Phillips.
Why? Doesnât Phelpsâ .438 average (14-for-32) with three homers and 10 RBIs this spring count for something? Yes and no. Fall in love with spring training numbers at your own risk. Nothing can be more hollow than March digits. However, here is the real reason it should be Phillips over Phelps despite Phillipsâ 190 (4-for-21) average after fanning four times Tuesday against the Twins: his swing is shorter than Phelpsâ and that fits into a bench player better than Phelpsâ long hack.
And there is more. No doubt Phillipsâ 2005 season in which he batted .240 in 246 at-bats was a disappointment. Yet, his wife battled cancer all summer so that had to be on his mind. Phillips is a better fielding first baseman and has minor league experience at all infield positions.
Phelps has done everything asked of him and he can catch in an emergency. But that swing isnât going to cut it against the Johan Santanas, Tom Glavines and Scott Kazmirs he is going to face after extended pine time.
The Yankeesâ bench is better with Phillips than Phelps because spring training numbers have never been a true indicator of the real deal.
