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Look back at: Divisional Playoffs |
League Championship
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Monday, October 23
Cone's lack of work factors into Torre's decision
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Yankees manager Joe Torre decided to give Denny
Neagle another shot at a postseason start instead of giving David
Cone his first start in more than three weeks.
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| Cone |
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| Neagle |
After days of speculation that Cone would move back into the
Yankees' rotation for Game 4 of the World Series against the New
York Mets, Torre said Monday that he was sticking with Neagle.
"Not having pitched in a month, other than just that one
inning, I was concerned with the length I could get from him,"
Torre said of Cone.
Cone, one of baseball's best big-game pitchers with an 8-3
postseason record, had his worst season as a pro this year. He went
4-14 with a 6.91 ERA and dislocated his left shoulder diving for a
ball in September.
He has pitched only one inning in the playoffs -- a perfect
eighth in Game 5 against Seattle -- and hasn't made a start since
Sept. 30.
"I was happy to have been there in the mix," Cone said. "It
made me feel good. Joe assured me I am part of his plans. I have to
be ready. I'm very confident the bullpen phone is going to ring and
my name is going to be on the line."
Torre indicated last week that Cone could get the nod for his
first start at Shea Stadium since the Mets traded him to Toronto in
1992.
Neagle lost two starts in the AL Championship Series against
Seattle, allowing five runs and seven walks in 10 innings, and
Torre was critical of his lack of control.
Neagle was angered by his manager's comments -- calling them
"garbage" -- but the two have ironed out their differences.
"The only thing frustrating to me was that there was talk that
it was based on me not doing my job in the other two starts,"
Neagle said. "But I feel I did my job. I feel I did well enough to
earn another chance. I wasn't stewing."
Torre made his decision about Wednesday's Game 4 after meeting
with both pitchers Monday morning.
"David helped me make the decision," he said. "He said if it
helps that he had no trouble getting ready in the bullpen quickly.
Not that that tipped the scale, but it certainly weighed in the
decision."
Neagle's success against the Mets probably did as well. He is
7-3 in his career against the Mets, including pitching seven
scoreless innings against them in a 12-1 win for Cincinnati on
April 26.
"I've pitched well against these guys in the past," he said.
"I like pitching in this stadium. I always felt Shea is one of the
best pitcher's stadiums in baseball."
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