09/19: Well, He Wasn't The Only One
Posted by: James
Yes, I know - most people don't exactly consider Steve Phillips a bastion of credible baseball info...but remember, he was the GM of the NY Mets for from July 16, 1997 until June 12, 2003 so there's gotta be something there, right? In any case, Deadspin's getting on him for the following comment at the end of August about the Yankees and their playoff chances.
Well, looking back at the standings on that day, the Yankees were 1.5 games back of the Mariners (3 games on the loss side) with a +156 run differential (Seattle had a +21 RD). Yeah...probably not the best time to call the Yankees season over...though he certainly wasn't the only one.
August 22
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SportsNation Steve Phillips: The Yanks looked good beating an undermanned Tigers team, I agree with you. But I think the Mariners will hold on and win the Wild Card. Their starting pitching is just good enough and their bullpen in unreal. They have one of the best defenses in babseball, and they are starting to produce on offense. I think it is too little too late for the Yankees to make the playoffs."
...
SportsNation Steve Phillips: The Yanks looked good beating an undermanned Tigers team, I agree with you. But I think the Mariners will hold on and win the Wild Card. Their starting pitching is just good enough and their bullpen in unreal. They have one of the best defenses in babseball, and they are starting to produce on offense. I think it is too little too late for the Yankees to make the playoffs."
Well, looking back at the standings on that day, the Yankees were 1.5 games back of the Mariners (3 games on the loss side) with a +156 run differential (Seattle had a +21 RD). Yeah...probably not the best time to call the Yankees season over...though he certainly wasn't the only one.
