While a few of the Yankees’ top talents have performed very well in the first half, overall it’s been a mediocre season at best. And the individual grades reflect it.
A DEREK JETER
Why he isn’t an All-Star is the biggest surprise of the first half. Hitting .300 and on base 40 percent of the time.
A MARIANO RIVERA
Booed off the mound at Yankee Stadium in early April after blowing second straight save, Rivera converted the next 18 save chances. Pitching better than ever.
A ALEX RODRIGUEZ
Producing MVP-type numbers in his second season. Looks more comfortable than a year ago. Only drawback was early-season unsteadiness at third.
A GARY SHEFFIELD
Didn’t get on a hot streak yet was on pace to hit 30 homers and drive in 130 runs during the first 81 games.
B ROBINSON CANO
Called up in May, the left-handed-hitting second baseman has developed into a bona fide AL Rookie of the Year candidate. Needs to avoid the lackadaisical errors he has made.
B TOM GORDON
Veteran set-up man had a rocky April, but since then he has been very effective getting games to Mariano Rivera.
B HIDEKI MATSUI
A brutal May threatened to destroy his third Yankee season. But he rebounded in June and July and returned to being a vital cog.
B MIKE MUSSINA
With Randy Johnson not dominating and Carl Pavano struggling, Mussina developed into the rotation’s best pitcher.
B TANYON STURTZE
Has thrived in set-up role under Mel Stottlemyre. Made a fill-in start for Pavano and showed his value is as a reliever.
B CHIEN-MING WANG
Rookie right-hander was summoned when Jaret Wright went on the DL. Unflappable pitcher relies on pinpoint control with sinking fastball. First-half savior.
C JOHN FLAHERTY
Most difficult job in baseball also includes being Randy Johnson’s personal catcher. It’s a job for which Flaherty didn’t lobby, but accepts. Not on the team to hit, but sub-.200 average isn’t good.
C BUDDY GROOM
Elevated from Columbus in April, lefty reliever has pitched sporadically.
C RANDY JOHNSON
Gets penalized for being future Hall of Famer. So 8-6 record going into today’s game wasn’t expected.
C TINO MARTINEZ
Player of the Month in May, Martinez was a big reason the Yankees didn’t drown in the second month of the year. Hasn’t gotten enough at-bats recently to stay sharp.
C JORGE POSADA
A strong ending to May had his average up to .298 and he was hitting .298 on June 17. But he lost close to 30 points off his average the next 15 games. Not his fault Yankee pitchers don’t hold runners well.
C RUBEN SIERRA
Missed a month with a torn biceps tendon. Easily the best Yankee pinch-hitter and a threat when in the lineup. Hasn’t embarrassed himself in limited outfield play.
C BERNIE WILLIAMS
Lost his starting job in early May. Went to the bench but eventually returned to regular duty. Hasn’t been able to put an extended hot streak together.
D JASON GIAMBI
If he was graded on the first week of July, Giambi would be an honor student and he could be heading that way. But it’s a three-month course and it took him a while to get going.
D CARL PAVANO
Arrived as a career .500 pitcher and won four of his first 10 decisions. So he pitched close to his track record. However, he was given $40 million to be a front-end hurler and hasn’t done it.
F KEVIN BROWN
Started the season on the DL with a balky back then lost his first four decisions. Bounced back to win the next four but went back on the shelf with a 4-6 ledger and 5.48 ERA.
F TONY WOMACK
Arrived as a second baseman and leadoff hitter. Started as a second baseman and No. 9 hitter. Then moved to left and then center. Batting average in the .240 area and on-base percentage below .300 are big disappointments.
B JOE TORRE
Most inconsistent Yankee team in the Torre era. Credit him for keeping the clubhouse together in rough times. George Steinbrenner repeatedly says the Yankees’ plight is in “Torre’s hands.” He has handled it well.
B BRIAN CASHMAN
GM orchestrated the bold early May shakeup that elevated Robinson Cano from Triple-A to the big leagues. Difficult job harder this year because he is in the final year of a contract. As always, it’s difficult to assess Cashman’s performance because there are so many hands in the jar.
