Boston vs. New York

              Is Mike Mussina the best pitcher in the Yankee rotation?  The mere thought of that statement at the beginning of the season would have been preposterous.  At the start of June, however, it could very well be true.  Not only is he the most successful pitcher of the Yankees struggling group, but he is currently tied for the AL lead in wins (9) after the first two months of the season.  This effort could end up leading to a spot on the All-Star team for Mussina.  Not bad for a washed up 39 year old pitcher fading into the sunset.
            When the Yankees refused to give up Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes in a trade to acquire Johan Santana, it showed just how highly they valued those players.  It also indicated that it was the beginning of the end for Mussina.  With Andy Pettitte, Chien-Ming Wang, Kennedy, Hughes, and eventually Joba Chamberlain, the rotation seemed pretty crowded.  He was not even assured of a roster spot coming into the first week of the season, but now it is hard to imagine where the Yankees would be without him.
            So far this season Pettitte has been widely inconsistent, Wang started out strong but is struggling mightily now, and the youngsters Kennedy and Hughes had yet to record a win between them before ending up on the DL together.  Looking at things as they now stand, there is no question that Mussina is leading this group.  The only question left is how long he can continue to hold them together with his frail old body.
             When it comes to the Major Leagues, location is just as important as velocity and often times more so.  Mussina works inside and outside of the plate, and he rarely walks any batters.  He switches things up, sometimes in the middle of an at bat, to keep the hitters guessing.  That’s why he is having one of the most successful seasons of his career.  Hughes and Chamberlain can dial up a 97mph fastball at will, but if they cannot control it the pitch serves no purpose other than to give up hits and base-runners.  In the minor leagues you can over power most hitters with velocity, but that’s not the case in the major leagues.  Here, hitters will catch up with any fastball if it is not located.
            What Mussina is doing so far this season is something that should be admired and learned from.  The young pitchers around the league should pay attention to what Mussina and a guy like Jaime Moyer is able to do without any power on their pitches.  They outsmart the hitters, keep them on their toes, and are able to continue to get guys out consistently.  That’s more than can be said for any other Yankee starter so far this season.

By: Nick Giangarra

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