Mel Stottlemyre's time with the Yanks appears to be up.

I know a lot of people will be celebrating in jubilation. But, I'm sad to see him go. He's been a Yankee for a great many years. 10 as a coach where we won 4 titles and finished in the top 5 in AL ERA in 6 of the last 10 seasons. 11 as a player where he went 164-139 with a 2.97 ERA. He was a good pitcher on a medicore team during his playing career.

Usually when someone receives too much critcism when things go bad, they also receive too much credit when things go well, but that doesn't seem to be the case here. I have read many times where people slam Mel for ruining young pitchers, but then dismiss the ones that he was around that did well as already having talent (Andy Pettitte, Ramiro Mendoza, Mariano Rivera, Chien-Ming Wang). Yeah, he "ruined" Javy, Contreras and Weaver, but when it comes to one of the best lefties in the game and the greatest reliever of all time, they were just good. Either they need coaching or they already have talent - pick one. When it comes down to it, Mel was a member of the Yankee Organization for approximately 25 years (unless he did some work with them in between) and was a good one, as well. I missed his playing career as it was before my time, but I haven't heard bad things. As far as his coaching career with the Yankees, I have seen it and I have seen a person that people respect and that has done a solid job. If he is actually gone, it is time for people to pay respect to someone who has been a Yankee for around 40% of their life.

Thanks, Mel, thanks for your time with the Yankees.