Here's a point for discussion ... what's the biggest surprise in MLB this season? As we wind down the entire season, we can start to draw some conclusions, rather than rely on projections, so speaking as an avowed fan of the interlocking NY and pinstripes, I would humbly suggest that the biggest surprise of 2005 ...
... is the New York Yankees pitching staff.
Nobody would have been surprised if in April you had projected that Mike Mussina and Randy Johnson would be leading the team in wins -- and with 13 and 15, respectively (and a combined 28-16), that projection would bave been right on. No projection objections there, anyway.
But with Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright, the two sexy off-season pitching pickups, at a combined 9-10 and both out for the year, well. THAT's trouble. Right?
Uh, no. See, Aaron Small (9-0), Shawn Chacon (6-3 with NYY) and Chien-Ming Wang (8-4) are a combined 23-7, meaning the 3-4-5 spots in the rotation are 32-17, or approximately the record the Yankee brass would have hoped for from Pavano and Wright. Heck, Small might win this category all by hissownself.
Throw in the fact that Steve Karsay and Buddy Groom are two relievers no longer in pinstripes while Al Leiter is ... well. And the Yankees are in first place.
C'mon, I dare you. Come up with a bigger surprise than THAT.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20050926215803210