Monday, June 2, 2008

All Joba, All the Time

Just now, with Kyle Farnsworth blowing the Yankees/Twins game, and Edwar Ramirez warming in the bullpen, the ESPN play-by-play guy actually said, "Edwar Ramirez, with that great change-up, but perhaps too young and inexperienced for that 8th-inning role." This after the announcers had argued in favor of Joba Chamberlain keeping that role for the past ten minutes.

Joba Chamberlain - 22 years old, 47.2 major league innings pitched.
Edwar Ramirez - 27 years old, 37 major league innings pitched.

For the record, a list of people I would rather have pitching the 8th inning of a close game than Kyle Farnsworth:

Edwar Ramirez
Chris Britton
Jose Veras
Scott Patterson
J.B. Cox
Darrell Rasner
David Robertson
Jeff Nelson (present-day)
Wade Boggs
Sparky Lyle (present-day)
Joe Niekro (present-day)
R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills
Bo Jackson
Hume Cronyn

And a list of people who I would not prefer to see instead of Kyle Farnsworth in the 8th inning of a close game:

Latroy Hawkins
Joba Chamberlain