Scoring two runs in 18 innings has not been a problem for the 2013 Yankees. The team has already had two sets of consecutive games with either zero or one run scored, compared to no more than three such stretches in any season over the past 10 years. Not content with this mundane display of futility, the Bronx Bombers took their offensive struggles one step further yesterday by accomplishing the task in one game.

Number of Games in Which Yankees Have Scored One or Fewer Runs

Note: Red portion of 2013 is pro rated.
Source: baseball-reference.com

To be fair, the Yankees 3-2 loss to the Athletics in 18 innings wasn’t really a team effort. On the contrary, all of the “credit” belongs to the middle of the order. The not quite Murderer’s Row of Mark Teixeira, Travis Hafner, Kevin Youkilis, and Vernon Wells combined to go 0-28 in the extra inning marathon, giving the Athletics a no-hitter’s worth of outs from what used to be the most dangerous part of the Yankees’ batting order.

For their efforts, the Yankees’ 5 through 7 hitters were rewarded with a historic distinction. By each going at least 0-7, Hafner, Youkilis and Wells became the first pinstriped trio to combine for such futility in the same game. In addition, Hafner and Youkilis each posted a negative WPA worthy of ranking among the 20 worst rates in franchise history. With no men on base in front of him, Wells was spared a similar fate. Still, the black hole in the middle of the order was enough to give the Yankees their lowest recorded combined WPA.

Yankees’ 10 Lowest Individual and Team WPA Scores

Note: WPA data complete back to 1973 and mostly complete back to 1950.
Source: baseball-reference.com

The Yankees’ offensive struggles have been a season long concern, but it may have taken yesterday’s epic futility to crystallize the problem in the minds of the franchise’s hierarchy. Even though the team’s early success was predicated entirely upon pitching, owner Hal Steinbrenner’s and GM Brian Cashman’s initial comments seemed to suggest a certain feeling of “I told you so” vindication. If so, yesterday’s loss might serve as a wake up call. That doesn’t necessarily mean the Yankees will be able to make an immediate acquisition, although there are a few potential trade targets worth pursuing, but they can at least start laying the ground work. Of course, that assumes Steinbrenner and, to a lesser extent, Cashman are ready to admit their mistakes and make a commitment to correct them. If not, the mounting frustration among the fan base is likely to grow as quickly as the offense’s production has plummeted.

Yankee outfielders have not provided much of a helping hand on offense. (Photo: AP)

The 2013 Yankees are giving new meaning to the word “out”field. In the team’s first 64 games, hitters occupying the three outfield positions have combined to post an unimpressive line of .258/.309/.401, which, in terms of OPS, ranks as not only one of the worst rates in the league, but also in recent franchise history.

Yankees’ Outfield OPS+, 1945-2013

Note: sOPS+ compares a team’s performance in a split to the league average. A reading above 100 is considered above average.
Source: Baseball-reference.com

Injuries have clearly taken a toll on the Yankees’ offense, and, undoubtedly, if Curtis Granderson had not broken his hand twice, the Bronx Bombers would be enjoying much more production from their outfield. However, the weakest link in the chain resides in right field, and the main culprit has been Ichiro Suzuki. When the Yankees decided to let Nick Swisher walk away over money, the plan was for Suzuki to provide comparable value at half the price. Instead, the offense has been saddled with a black hole as Suzuki and a cast of part-time players have combined to post an OPS of .651, the fourth lowest rate in the majors.

Much has been written about the short sighted decisions the Yankees made this off season, so it’s time to move past the mistakes of the winter and explore potential solutions for the summer. Although the offense has several weak spots in the lineup, the most glaring, and perhaps quickly remedied, are in the outfield. Also, even if Granderson makes a speedy recovery from his most recent bad break, the void in right field would remain, so Brian Cashman’s top priority should be trying to fill it.

Even though the new wild card format has most teams still on the periphery of the post season, some early season sellers are starting to emerge. Listed below are five candidates who would fit well with the Yankees as either an immediate stop gap or more long-term solution. The potential trade targets are listed in order of the perceived likelihood of the Yankees being able to consummate a trade for them.

Chris Denorfia – San Diego Padres (2013 Salary: $2mn; Remaining: 1 year/$2.3mn)  

Denorfia’s flexibility would suit the Yankees’ OF nicely. (Photo: Spokeo)

Yankee fans might not be familiar with the 32-year old veteran who has toiled as a utility outfielder in the relative anonymity of San Diego, but Chris Denorfia’s ability to hit left handed pitching and play all three outfield positions make him an ideal reinforcement for the struggling Bronx Bombers. An added bonus that Hal Steinbrenner will enjoy is he’s cheap. Denorfia’s current salary is only $2 million, and his deal extends to 2014 for about the same, so the outfielder would not only fit nicely on the roster, but also within the confines of a budget. Of course, being inexpensive probably makes him more valuable to the Padres, but considering his limited role and advanced age, it stands to reason that the Yankees could obtain Denorfia for a less than elite prospect. Also, if San Diego is looking to make a more impactful deal, Denorfia could also be rolled into a trade involving Chase Headley, whose early struggles and unwillingness to sign a long-term deal with the Padres could move GM Josh Byrnes to shop him.

Michael Morse – Seattle Mariners (2013 salary: $6.75mn)

The Yankees were reportedly interested in Michael Morse during the off season, but weren’t able to meet the Nationals’ demands. Perhaps with Seattle slogging its way through another disappointing season, the cost has come down? Although Morse is somewhat of a defensive liability, his power from the right side would be a welcomed addition to the Yankees, even if recent trends suggest he is becoming more of a one-dimensional player. Another advantage to Morse is his pending free agency, which not only lowers his trade value but requires no forward commitment from the Yankees. Brian Cashman and Mariners’ GM Jack Zduriencik have had several trade discussions in the recent past, so the groundwork for a deal could already be in place (perhaps David Adams would be a place to start).

Alex Rios – Chicago White Sox (2013 salary: $12.5mn; Remaining: 1 year/$12.5mn)  

In the recent past, the White Sox have proven to be eager sellers, so, even though Alex Rios has been Chicago’s only offensive pulse, GM Kenny Williams probably wouldn’t hesitate to make a deal. Based on his resurgence over the past year and a half, Rios would be a steal at the approximately $20 million remaining on his contract. As a result, the White Sox would likely be reticent to add money to a potential deal, not to mention more insistent on a better prospect. Because of uncertainty regarding the Yankees’ financial plans for 2014, it’s hard to gauge their willingness to pay both costs, but, if Brian Cashman is empowered to improve the team without the limitations of a 2014 budget, Rios should be a prime target.

Josh Willingham – Minnesota Twins (2013 salary: $7mn; Remaining: 1 year/$7-$8mn)  

Willingham’s power would be a welcomed addition to the Yankees’ lineup. (Photo: AP)

If the Twins aren’t in sell mode already, they should be soon, and Josh Willingham is easily one of their most marketable commodities. Unfortunately, GM Terry Ryan has proven to be a stubborn trading partner. Because Willingham is signed to such a team-friendly contract, it won’t be easy to pry him away from Minnesota, but the extra year might be worth the price, especially if the Yankees plan to stick with their 2014 budget. For this year, Willingham’s righty power would give the team’s lineup an immediate boost and also reintroduce the kind of patience that used to be a Bronx Bomber hallmark. As with Rios, obtaining Willingham would likely require the Yankees to trade a better prospect, but the overall value seems to justify a higher price.

Andre Ethier – Los Angeles Dodgers (2013 salary: $13.5mn; Remaining: 4 years/$70mn)  

With the emergence of Yasiel Puig, the Dodgers are facing a crowded and expensive outfield, and Andre Ethier is looking more and more like the odd man out.

Despite being a consistent performer, Ethier’s struggles against southpaws make him a less than ideal fit for the Bronx Bombers, but as a left hander, the advantage of Yankee Stadium could help mitigate some of his short comings. A shift to the Bronx seems to make sense for all parties involved, but only if the price is right. The first stumbling block is clearly the money. The Yankees weren’t willing to pay Swisher a similar amount, so they’d likely require Los Angeles to chip in at least $20-$30 million. That might be too much for even the free spending Dodgers, but assuming the teams could get past the hurdle, the next piece of the puzzle would be the players involved.

The Dodgers’ unwillingness to abandon their post season aspirations could work in the Yankees favor. In order to get back into the race, GM Ned Colletti will need to find a starter and a reliever to supplement his team’s tattered pitching staff. Would Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain fit the bill? For most teams, the pending free agents wouldn’t have much value, but a win-now team like the Dodgers might have different ideas. If Los Angeles was willing to take the pair, who have become somewhat superfluous on the Yankees’ staff, it would lessen the prospect cost and, perhaps, make it more palatable for the team’s ownership to throw in so much cash.

Bud Selig wants you, or anyone linked to Biogenesis. (Photo: AP)

Commissioner Selig was probably hoping the Mitchell Report would purify the stains to his legacy caused by the rampant use of performance enhancing drugs during his tenure as commissioner. Instead, it only served to expose the malpractice that took place on a league-wide basis, especially in the commissioner’s office. Ever since then, Selig has become a PED zealot, taking every opportunity to appear strident in his efforts to clean up the game. Normally, his dedication would be laudable. Instead, it just seems like a transparent attempt to clean up his own reputation.

Biogensis is Bud Selig’s last stand on PEDs. Not only does he have an opportunity to hand out one of the most expansive and punitive drug-related penalties in sports’ history, but a successful conclusion to the investigation would help settle the score with Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun, two players whom Selig likely views as archenemies in his never ending fight for truth and justice. The Biogensis scandal is more than just business; it’s personal. And, the outcome will likely influence the epitaphs of the figures involved.

So, how desperate is Major League Baseball to prove its case against the players linked to Biogensis? For starters, it was willing to file a frivolous lawsuit against the clinic’s proprietor, Anthony Bosch, in the hopes of smoking him out. Now that the strategy has worked, MLB is prepared to abandon the lawsuit and indemnify Bosch against further litigation that his testimony might invite. Think about that for a moment. A sports league is willing to assume the legal fallout from the activities of a man they have accused of being a drug dealer. MLB has reportedly even promised, if needed, to go to bat for Bosch before federal investigators. Ironically, if MLB gets its way, about 20 players would face suspension, and Bosch would be left free to supply his “wellness solutions” to dozens more.

Another sign of baseball’s desperation is the leak that has thrust Biogensis back into the headlines. If the sources cited by ESPN are from within the commissioner’s office, it seems reasonable to wonder just how confident MLB is in its case. Perhaps the leaks are designed to flush out further cooperation, particularly from among the accused. Or, it could represent a trial balloon used to gauge the union’s reaction. Regardless of the motivation, if MLB was really closing in hard on the alleged Biogensis clients, they’d likely be tip toeing in pursuit, not blaring the sirens of mass media.

The main problem with Selig’s Biogenesis investigation is Bosch. He had no credibility when he wasn’t cooperating with MLB, and just as little now that he is. Although the joint drug program does permit suspensions without a failed drug test, the burden of proof is much higher without a smoking gun. How much higher? Presumably, the sworn statement of an admitted liar and accused felon doesn’t pass the threshold. Of course, Bosch could provide corroborating evidence, but even that is problematic. Unless the supporting proof is independent of Bosch’s lack of credibility, it’s hard to imagine an arbitrator giving it much weight. After all, most of the players involved have very strong corroborating evidence on their side in the form of a drug test with negative results.

Who knows how many of the alleged names on the Biogensis client list are guilty of violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy? By all means, Bud Selig has the right to find out. However, if Bosch doesn’t have the goods, and Selig continues to pursue his claims regardless, the end will not come close to justifying the means. Baseball’s current economic success has been built upon mutual cooperation, but what took 20 years to build could be quickly torn asunder by an abuse of power. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. Although PEDs are an issue worthy of being addressed, there’s no room for vigilante justice, unless, of course, that is the legacy Bud Selig wants to leave behind. If so, the reputation most damaged by Biogensis may not belong to Bosch, Arod, or Braun, but Selig himself.

Nick Swisher gives the Yankee Stadium crowd one last salute. (Photo: NY Daily News; Ron Antonelli)

“No Hard Feelings.” In his return to the Bronx, that’s how Nick Swisher described his departure. With most players, such a magnanimous response might seem like a poorly veiled cliché, but not so with Swisher. Hard feelings are not a part of his ebullient emotional repertoire.

Just because the Yankees former right fielder doesn’t feel resentment toward the organization doesn’t mean fans of the team have to feel the same way. After all, what the Bronx Bombers need most – a patient, switch hitter with power and the versatility to play both outfield and first base – is exactly what the Yankees lost when they opted to let Swisher go.

There were 56 million reasons why the Yankees said good bye to Swisher, just not any good ones. For four years, the right fielder was a model of consistency in pinstripes, posting an OPS+ ranging from 120 to 129 and playing in just about 150 games each season. Considering the current state of the Yankees, the latter was no small accomplishment. What’s more, despite sticking out like a sore thumb on a regimented Yankee team, he also seemed to fit just like a glove.

We’ve run five out of six or six out of seven lefties, sometimes, in a row, and he was very good at splitting them up. You could hit him anywhere, really – second to seventh in the lineup. He gave you a lot of flexibility.” - Joe Girardi, quoted by the New York Times, June 4, 2013

If Joe Girardi sounds a little wistful, it’s easy to understand why. This year’s Yankees roster doesn’t have the same quality or depth as in the past. There is no Nick Swisher to help balance out the lineup and provide flexibility in the field because those qualities were deemed expendable this winter (or, more aptly, too expensive). The Yankees have rarely made a distinction between luxury and necessity, but this time around, they chose to draw the line at Swisher. Unfortunately, by focusing on the cost, they ignored the benefit side of the equation.

A.L. Right Field Production, wOBA

Source: fangraphs.com

It was fitting that on the night Nick Swisher returned to the Bronx, Lyle Overbay was asked to make his professional debut in right field. If it wasn’t clear how much they missed him beforehand, the Yankees’ desperate attempt to squeeze an extra bat into the lineup was an exclamation point. As it turns out, Swisher wasn’t really much of a luxury after all.  And now, when they need him more than ever, all that’s left are “no hard feelings”, except, perhaps, regret from the Yankees.

Phil Hughes Relative Game Scores vs. All MLB Pitchers, 2010-2013

Source: baseball-reference.com

In many ways, Hughes is a victim of his former status as an elite prospect. Despite being 10 years removed from his selection in the first round of the 2004 draft, he is still looked upon as developing young starter instead of the league average veteran he has become. Whether evaluated on the basis of ERA+, xFIP or even a game score distribution, Hughes’ performance just about rises to the mean. Sure, there are some flashes of brilliance, which, undoubtedly, many confuse with his potential finally being fulfilled, but his peaks are no greater or more frequent than the typical major league pitcher. And, that’s exactly what he is. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Instead of continuing to wonder when Hughes will final breakthrough, it’s probably more relevant to ask why he has not. Poor fastball command and his inability to master a put away pitch are the two most often cited culprits, and a look inside the numbers seems to bear that out.

One of Hughes’ Achilles heels is his inability to close out an at bat when he gets ahead in the count. From 2010 to 2012, the right hander allowed an OPS of .594 when facing a batter with an 0-2 count. That might seem pretty good on the surface, but it’s actually the 14th worst rate among the 225 pitchers who had at least 50 at bats end on an 0-2 count during that span. In the past two seasons, Hughes’ vulnerability when ahead 0-2 has been even more pronounced, with hitters compiling an OPS+ of 258 and 196, respectively, when deep in the hole against the right hander. So much for the advantage of getting ahead?

In his first 11 starts this season, Hughes has finally figured out how to dominate 0-2 counts. So far, the righty has limited batters to an OPS of .297 in the split, nearly two times better than the league average on an OPS+ basis. Problem solved? Well, not quite. Rather, what Hughes has done is shift the problem from 0-2 to all counts thereafter. After getting ahead two strikes, the righty has allowed an OPS of .681, “good” for an OPS+ of 197. So, while Hughes is twice as good on 0-2, he is twice as bad in all counts that follow. That’s the same “one step forward and one step back” that has defined Hughes career. No wonder he can’t seem to make any progress.

Phil Hughes Two Strike Splits vs. League, 2010-2013

Source: baseball-reference.com

Hughes is not a bad pitcher. Just because some exaggerate his potential doesn’t mean he should be judged on a higher scale. However, it also shouldn’t guarantee him a spot in the rotation, especially considering the likelihood he won’t be with the team next season. Can the Yankees do better than Hughes’ mediocrity? Would Vidal Nuno, Ivan Nova or Michael Pineda (when he returns), be a better option? And, if so, would the Yankees be better off converting Hughes back to a short reliever, or shopping him around the league to help bolster their offense? These are the questions the Yankees should be pondering…not whether Hughes will ever live up to decade-old expectations.

CC Sabathia brings the heat. (Photo: USATSI)

The Yankees’ series opener against the Red Sox was supposed to be about the return of Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis to the lineup, but the big story turned out to be CC Sabathia’s re-emergence on the mound.

Sabathia’s previous start had been one of his worst as a Yankee. Not only did the big lefty surrender seven runs to the light hitting Tampa Rays, the most he ever allowed in pinstripes, but his game score of 37 ranked as the 12th lowest in 140 starts since joining the team. With only one start standing between Sabathia and his first winless month since April 2003, it was shaping up to be a forgettable May.  Instead, Sabathia mowed down the Red Sox with a performance that seemed to say, “Remember me”?

Sabathia’s 10 strikeouts against the Red Sox represented the 17th time he reached double digits with the Bronx Bombers, as well as the first time he did so without a walk. It was the kind of domination the Yankees have come to expect from their ace, but had not enjoyed this season. And, perhaps more importantly, it was accompanied by a meaningful increase in velocity. After toiling in the low-90s since the start of the season, Sabathia’s average fastball jumped all the way to 92 mph, which, although still below his career norms, seemed to represent an important breakthrough.

CC Sabathia’s Monthly Fastball Velocity, 2008-2013

Source: fangraphs.com

Was Sabathia’s fastball going to remain at 90 mph for the whole season? Even before last night, that didn’t seem likely. However, because his April and May readings were much lower than in season’s past, it was only natural, and prudent, to wonder whether he would be able to reach last year’s maximum velocity, much less the levels from before he experienced shoulder discomfort last season. After last night’s performance, some of that concern has been alleviated.

Just like 10 starts were not enough to confirm the demise of Sabathia’s fastball, one encouraging outing does not dispel the concern. Although it’s true that the big lefty’s fastball heats up with the weather, the ascent has usually been gradual. In fact, if you extrapolate Sabathia’s early fastball velocity based on his normal trend, there isn’t much reason for optimism. However, because of Sabathia’s off season surgery and abbreviated spring training, this season is unique.

CC Sabathia’s Per Start Fastball Frequency and Velocity, 2008 to 2013
Source: fangraphs.com

Because it seems reasonable to assume Sabathia’s surgery and limited preparation, not a gradual decline, were responsible for the very low radar gun readings in his first 10 starts of the season, the lefty’s track record has not been as applicable. Before projecting his velocity forward, it was important for Sabathia to first prove he could reach the levels attained before his surgery. With last night’s start, he did just that. Now, the Yankees can begin to envision a summer with Sabathia bringing the heat.

If Sabathia has turned a corner related to his off season surgery, 92 mph is just the beginning. The news of the big lefty’s demise was certainly premature, and it’s probably equally rash to assume his return to dominance is permanent, but, last night, Sabathia did more than just pitch like an ace. He also gave the Yankees good reason to believe he will continue to do for the rest of the season.

Yankees’ OPS+ and ERA+, 1961 to 2013
Source: baseball-reference.com

The Yankees are not lucky to be in their current position, and they haven’t been using smoke and mirrors to fool the rest of the league. Rather, the Bronx Bombers have excelled because of a strong pitching staff that ranks among the league leaders and, on a pro rated basis, stacks up against the best in franchise history. To date, Yankees’ pitchers have allowed 14% fewer runs than the American League average, which is well within the top quartile of franchise seasons. In terms of ERA+, the staff’s rate of 115 would be the fifth best mark since 1961. By just about every measure, the Yankees are allowing fewer runs on a relative basis when compared to past performance.

With such a dominant pitching staff, the Yankees should already be printing playoff tickets. Whenever the team has prevented runs at a similar rate, they’ve usually ended up playing deep into October (19 of 23 applicable seasons). However, in all but two of those years, the Yankees complemented a strong pitching staff with a potent offense. Such is not the case this season.

Because the pitching has been so good, many have ascribed some of the Yankees’ success to the team’s lineup of reclamation projects, but the organization doesn’t deserve credit for scouring the scrap heap to build an offense. With only 4.17 runs per game scored, the Bronx Bombers are fielding one of the weakest lineups in team history. On a relative runs scored per game basis, the Yankees are underperforming by 7%, which represents the 10th worst rate in the franchise’s 113 seasons. The offense’s corresponding OPS+ of 93 is also the sixth lowest mark since 1961 and worst since 1990, when illustrious names like Bob Geren, Alvaro Espinoza, and Oscar Azocar filled out the lineup card. Needless to say, in the 10 seasons when the Yankees scored at a similar rate, they failed to make the post season. In fact, in the 23 seasons when the Yankees scored fewer runs per game than the league, they only played into October twice (1981 and 1996) and compiled a regular season winning percentage of .470.

Yankees’ Runs Per Game Scored/Allowed vs. League Average, 1901-2013

Source: baseball-reference.com and proprietary calculations

Based on the team’s strong pitching and weak offense, as well as the modest run differential the two have yielded, the Yankees probably are fortunate to be one game out of first place. However, that doesn’t absolve the team’s hierarchy for its austerity inspired off season. Instead of thinking about how well the Yankees have done with a depleted offense, it’s at least equally relevant to ask how much better they might have been if, for example, the team re-signed Nick Swisher and Russell Martin and did more to bolster its position player depth? It’s impossible to know exactly what the Yankees’ record would be under such circumstances, but when you consider the potential opportunity cost of the organization’s off season decisions, it dispels the notion that the team is currently playing with house money.

For the first 48 games of the season, the Yankees’ pitching staff carried the team. However, in the last four games, they’ve had a few hiccups. That was to be expected from a group performing at historic levels. Although there’s good reason to believe the Yankees’ pitching staff will continue to be one of the game’s best, some regression is also likely. Can the offense, which has only won two games when the Yankees have allowed more than four runs, compensate if the pitching takes a step back? The answer to that question will determine the Yankees’ fate.

With Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis getting ready to return to the lineup, the offense should get a boost. However, even after their return, the lineup will include several struggling hitters, so, the two corner infielders will not give the Yankees a circular batting order. When you further consider Teixeira’s propensity for slow starts and Youkilis’ diminished recent track record, the level of optimism is further mitigated. Nonetheless, it is upon these two hitters that the Yankees’ hopes rely because the rest of the cavalry isn’t close to returning.

Once Teixeira and Youkilis return, the Yankees’ lineup will be set for at least another month. Whether or not the Yankees have been playing with house money to this point, going forward they’ll being coming out of pocket. And, if the offense doesn’t improve, Hal Steinbrenner may be forced to do the same.

Ruth, pictured here with long-time Yankees’ teammate Lou Gehrig, finished his career as a member of the Boston Braves.

At the time, no one knew they had seen the last of the Bambino. After the Memorial Day loss to the Phillies, Ruth, who had been nursing a sore knee for most of the season, decided that he needed some time to rest. So, during the next series against the Giants, the Babe put on a suit instead of a uniform and watched his Boston Braves’ teammates lose two of the next three. An idle Ruth was of no use to the Braves, however, so a confrontation was inevitable.

Ruth’s return to Boston was precipitated by a disagreement between the legendary slugger and Yankees owner Colonel Jacob Ruppert and chief executive Ed Barrow. Following the 1934 season, the team’s second straight campaign without a pennant, Ruth all but demanded that the Yankees’ brass fire manager Joe McCarthy. Ruppert and Barrow refused, so Ruth angrily declared that he’d never play for them again. It was an unfortunate threat because that suited the Yankees just fine. Instead of having to make what would have been an incredibly unpopular decision, the temperamental Ruth had gone ahead and done it for them.

Nowhere in the land are you more admired than in the territory of New England that has always claimed you as its own and where you started your career to fame.” – Judge Emil Fuchs, Boston Braves owners, February 26, 1935

While Ruth was abroad on a trip around the world, Judge Emil Fuchs approached Colonel Ruppert about having the Bambino return to Boston to play for his Braves. Fuchs desperately needed a gate attraction for his woeful team, and Ruppert was eager to rid himself of the increasingly troublesome slugger. So, the two owners hatched a plan to ensure a smooth transfer. In addition to a 25,000 salary, Fuchs offered Ruth a laundry list of hollow inducements, including an implied opportunity to manage. In response, Ruppert feigned surprise and agreed to not stand in Ruth’s way. Finally, on February 26, 1935, the three men held a press conference to announce that Babe Ruth was now a member of the Boston Braves.

Waived out of the American League after fifteen glamorous seasons with the New York Yankees, the one and only Bambino thrilled 25,000 frozen fans at Braves Field in his first game as a National Leaguer.” – James P. Dawson, New York Times, April 16, 1935

Judge Fuchs hands Ruth a pen so he can sign his new contract with the Braves.

At first, it seemed like the move might revitalize both the aging Ruth and the financially strapped Braves’ franchise. During spring training, the team played to large crowds as it  barnstormed up north, and then on Opening Day, 25,000 people jammed Braves Field to watch the Sultan of Swat take Carl Hubbell deep in a 4-2 victory over the New York Giants. However, that initial euphoria would quickly give way to acrimony as a developing contentious relationship between Ruth and Fuchs came to ahead just after Memorial Day.

After getting off to a hot start in the first five games of the season, Ruth suffered through a nightmarish 17-game stretch in which he hit .068 with only one home run in 57 plate appearances. What’s worse, the hobbled and overweight Ruth could barely field his position, subjecting the once invincible figure to jeers, laughter and, worst of all, pity. In the middle of that horrendous stretch, Ruth finally decided to call it quits, but Fuchs, who was desperate to squeeze as many gates as possible out his sideshow attraction, convinced him to stick around for at least the upcoming road trip, which was to feature a Babe Ruth Day in all five cities on the tour.

As Ruth struggled through sickness, injury and the rapid decline of his skill, he also gradually came to realize that all of Fuchs’ promises were empty. Because the Braves were in such poor economic condition, it soon became apparent that the financial inducements in his contract were worthless. However, what bothered Ruth most was the realization that he would never be given a chance to manage.

During what was the darkest period of his brilliant career, Ruth did have one more shining moment. On May 25 in Pittsburgh, the Babe reprised his role as the Sultan of Swat by belting three home runs in one game for the second time in his career. The outburst was Ruth’s final gasp as a great player because the four hits he had that day turned out to be his last.

After Ruth pulled up lame in the Memorial Day loss to the Phillies, he asked the Braves for a leave of absence so he could attend a gala celebration in New York welcoming the new French ocean liner Normandie to the city. Considered to be the biggest, fastest and most luxurious ship in the world, the Normandie was the Babe Ruth of ocean liners, so it only made sense that the Bambino be there to greet it. Unfortunately, Judge Fuchs didn’t agree.

Knowing that I could not be in condition to play before Thursday, I asked Judge Fuchs if I could accept an invitation to be baseball’s ambassador in welcoming the Normandie in New York Tuesday, but the judge told me I’d have to be in uniform in Boston. That was the last straw as far as my present connection with the Braves is concerned.” – Babe Ruth, June 3, 1935

After his request to leave the ballclub was denied, Ruth announced his intention to join the voluntarily retired list. When word filtered through the press, Judge Fuchs responded by granting Ruth his unconditional release. According to most reports, the two sides were inexorably headed for a divorce anyway, but the row over the Normandie proved to be the last straw.

The Normandie arrives in New York on her maiden voyage. The renowned French luxury liner was the Babe Ruth of the sea.

Although Ruth left Boston with the intention of playing again once his knee had recovered, there would be no more offers for his services. Fuchs also didn’t last much longer in Boston. By the end of the season, his financial woes finally caught up with him when the National League was forced to assume control of the Braves.

Even the glory days of the Normandie were fleeting. Less than one year after its launch, the British Queen Mary had supplanted the French ship as the world’s marquee ocean vessel, and then in 1942, when France fell to the Axis powers, the luxury liner was seized by the United States and converted into a troop transporter. However, during the conversion process, the once proud vessel caught fire, capsized and sunk to the bottom of the Hudson River. After efforts to repair the ship were abandoned, the decision to sell it for scrap was made in October 1946.

While the Normandie was being dismantled, so too was Ruth’s last hope of ever becoming a manager. Earlier in 1946, the Babe reached out to Larry MacPhail, one of the new owners of the Yankees, about managing in the team’s minor league system. His request was denied. Then, when he inquired about any job with the team, MacPhail wrote back suggesting he work with youth baseball programs. In other words, the Yankees no longer had any use for the man who was so instrumental in building the team’s brand and establishing it legacy.

Unfortunately, the news that came in November 1946 was even worse. Ruth was diagnosed with cancer. On August 16, 1948, the Babe finally lost his battle with the disease, and all of baseball mourned. Ever since then, however, the game has celebrated his epic career.  How fitting then that it all came to an end on Memorial Day. Although there were no pomp and circumstance to mark his last at bat, the long career that preceded it remains the game’s ultimate memorial to greatness.

Since the Subway Series was first played in 1997, the Yankees have won 54 of the 90 contests (58 of 95 including the 2000 World Series), which have comprised eight series victories, including one sweep, against two defeats and six draws. At Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers have won 29 games, while in Flushing, they’ve come out on top 25 times, giving the pinstripes the edge in both boroughs.

There aren’t many players on either active roster who have much experience in the Subway Series. On the Mets side, only David Wright has played in a meaningful number of games, while for the Yankees, Robinson Cano is now the series’ elder statesman with so many of his teammates watching from the disabled list. Because of the turnover on both teams, this year’s showdown will be more about introducing new players to the rivalry than renewing old acquaintances. In particular, Matt Harvey’s debut against the Yankees will likely be the week’s seminal event, and the scheduled match-up against Hiroki Kuroda should help compensate for some of the waning interest that has resulted since the Mets fell on hard times.

As the Mets and Yankees get set to write another chapter in the Subway Series, it’s always nice to look back. So, in honor of next week’s cross-town showdown, below is historical look at both team and individual performances. In addition to the results on the field, a historical look at ticket prices is also provided by TiqIQ, which, as a new partner of the Captain’s Blog, has lots of affordable seats available to the upcoming four games.

History of the Subway Series, 1997-2012 (click to enlarge)

Note: Includes 2000 World Series. Blue in the chart above represents years when the Yankees won more than 50% of the season series. Orange represents when the Mets won more than 50%. When the season series was split, a gray area is visible. The individual team winning percentage trend lines encompass all games played and are only visible when above .500.
Source: Baseball-reference.com

Rivalry Batting Leaders, 1997-2012 (click to enlarge)

Note: Includes 2000 World Series.
*Minimum 25 plate appearances
Source: Baseball-reference.com

Subway Series Pitching Leaders, 1997-2012 (click to enlarge)

Note: Includes 2000 World Series. Game Score is a per-game ranking.
*Minimum 10 innings
Source: Baseball-reference.com

For more Yankees vs. Mets themed history, see the following:

1. Subway Series Two-Timers: A Look at Players Who Have Experienced Both Sides of the City Rivalry
2. Who Needs the Subway? Yankees and Mets Could Have Been Co-Tenants
3. Mayor’s Trophy Mystery: Did Nettles Really Try To Throw A Game?

• With a combined average price of $116, this is the cheapest Subway Series over the last four years.
• This year’s combined average price is down 6% from 2012, 3% from 2011, and 41% from 2010.
• This years most expensive Yankees vs Mets game is Game 2 at Citi Field with an average of $140
• This years least expensive game is the final game at Yankee Stadium with an average of $109
• The cheapest secondary-market ticket the series is $28 with fees at Yankees stadium, for the final game in the Bronx.
• The cheapest ticket directly from a team is $22 before fees at Yankees Stadium, for both games
• The most expensive Subway Series game since 2010 had an average price of $255 on 7/2/11 at Citi Field
• The Least expensive  Subway Series game since 2010 had an average price of $99 on 5/22/11 at Yankee Stadium
• The premium over the regular season average for Mets tickets for this year’s Subway Series is +67% compared to a +140% premium last season.
• The premium over regular season average for Yankees tickets for this year’s Subway Series is +9%, compared to a +20% premium last season.

All strikeouts are not created equal. Some result from a called third strike, while others occur when a hitter goes down swinging. Although the outcome is the same, the balance between the two might offer a clue as to which suspects are most responsible for the recent surge.

2013 Strikeout Breakdown

Note: Data through May 21, 2013 encompassing 51,051 plate appearances.
Source: Data manually compiled from baseball-reference.com

Entering play today, there have been 10,199 strikeouts, good for one in every five plate appearances this season. Of that total, just over 75% have been the result of a swinging strike, while approximately 24% were called by the umpire (the other 1% are bunt-related events). Unfortunately, strikeout classification data are not readily available, so a full historical comparison isn’t an easy task. However, by comparing this year’s two-month results to a similar period in 2003, when the strikeout rate was a prior decade low 16.4%, we can get a sense about which type of strikeout has fueled the overall trend.

2003 Strikeout Breakdown

Note: Data through May 20, 2003 encompassing 51,884 plate appearances.
Source: Data manually compiled from baseball-reference.com

Over the same period in 2003, 27% of strike outs resulted from a called third strike, or 3% more than this season. Is this increase significant? The best way to determine that is by looking at the different rates on a per plate appearance basis.

2003 vs. 2013 Strikeout Rates

Note: 2003 data encompasses 51,884 plate appearances; 2013 data encompasses 51,051 plate appearances.
Source: Data manual compiled from baseball-reference.com

As illustrated above, almost all of the increase in strikeouts when comparing 2003 to 2013 has resulted from hitters swinging and missing. That doesn’t mean hitters aren’t putting themselves into poor counts by taking hittable pitches, or umpires aren’t calling more strikes earlier in the at bat, but when it comes to the final outcome, the inability of batters to make contact is why strikeouts are up significantly. Score one for the pitchers.

A two-month snap shot is hardly conclusive, and it’s likely that several other factors are contributing to the trend, but, at least in 2013, the increase in strikeouts seems to more attributable to what pitchers are doing as opposed to what hitters are not. It will be interesting to see if this balance changes as the year progresses, but if not, there is a silver lining. More cool breezes in the summer are never a bad thing.

Top-10 Hitter Strikeout Rates: Looking and Swinging

Note: Includes hitters with at least 15 strikeouts. Bunt-related strikeouts excluded from rates.
Source: Data manual compiled from baseball-reference.com

Top-10 Pitcher Strikeout Rates: Looking and Swinging

Note: Includes pitchers with at least 25 strikeouts. Bunt-related strikeouts excluded from rates.
Source: Data manual compiled from baseball-reference.com