YANK NOTES
Chuck Knoblauch’s left wrist was still deeply discolored three days after being hit in by a line drive, but he was able to start at second base yesterday and drew praise from his teammates and manager for his performance in the 9-8 win in 10 innings over the Phillies.
He had a single and two walks in his final three plate appearances and came around to score in the ninth and 10th innings. His lead-off walk in the 10th was critical.
“So much has been made of his troubles,” said Joe Torre, “but he is so important to us getting on base when he’s right. That leadoff walk put pressure on the pitcher right away.”
Knoblauch entered the game as the eighth-hardest AL hitter to strike out.
“Knobby was the key for us,” insisted Jorge Posada. “It seems like he gets on base every time we need him to.”
Knoblauch also started off the game with a marathon at-bat, something that might have tired out starter Paul Byrd who left in the seventh with a stiff neck. Byrd had baffled the Yanks while he was in.
With a runner on first base in the sixth inning, Knoblauch turned in a defensive gem as well. Doc Gooden, pitching calmly and effectively after a sub-par Andy Pettitte, grabbed a comebacker and quickly turned to fire to Knoblauch, covering second and fronting a charging Ron Gant. In one swift motion, Knoblauch scooped up the low throw from Gooden and, while airborne, rifled a perfect throw to first for a double play.
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Baseball commissioner Bud Selig did not want to comment on whether or not he had received a letter from Darryl Strawberry asking for reinstatement following his latest ban for substance abuse.
“I have no comment on that,” Selig said by phone from his from his Milwaukee home yesterday. “Anything that goes on between Darryl and I stays between us.
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Tim Raines and Ron Guidry were just two of the Old Timers who hung around after Saturday’s festivities were rained out. Guidry jokingly offered his left-handed services to manager Torre, who accepted on the spot. Raines, a Yankee favorite, took batting practice and wore a Yankee uniform. He is planning on trying out for the Olympic team, which will be chosen by former Yankee GM Bob Watson.
“He can still hit,” said Torre of Raines, who participated in Bomber spring training before retiring.
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The Old Timers’ game has reportedly been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 2 prior to a 4:30 game against the Twins.
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Several players did not get the message that Saturday’s game against the Marlins was called off until they had already either started for the Stadium or arrived.
Paul O’Neill was one such player who made the trek all the way in from his home in Westchester before finding out the news. By his own admission, he was “pretty chapped.” He said the Yanks had left a message on his wife’s cell phone, which wasn’t checked until 4 p.m.
A teammate heard that O’Neill was livid over the miscommunication and joked, “that’s the one guy you don’t want that to happen to,” referring to O’Neill’s infamous temper.
But GM Brian Cashman said it’s the players’ responsibility to leave the proper number with the team. Some players, he said, move or change numbers, but don’t inform the organization.
Cashman actually didn’t waste any time calling off Saturday’s game, announcing the decision officially by noon to nix the 4:35 p.m. contest. It is possible the Marlin game could be tacked on to the end of the regular season, played only if it could alter a playoff position for either team.
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Denny Neagle will make his Yankee debut tomorrow against Curt Schilling. On Saturday, Cashman sounded confident he can make progress with Neagle on the contract front. Neagle will be a free agent after the season.
“We do not want to drag it out,” Cashman said.
