"I think he had too much rest," Torre said of Pettitte, who went 42/3 innings, allowing five runs and six hits. "He mentioned to Gator [pitching coach Ron Guidry] that he was too strong."

Dear Yankee Apologist,

Those word belong to your current manager, Joe Torre. They proffer his thoughts as to why Andy Petitte looked so awful last night. "Too strong". Hmmm. You sure about that, Joe? Because to me it looked like he got behind most every batter he faced, grooved hittable pitches right down the pike on hitters counts, and generally looked as discombulated as all get out.

Do I think Joe's job is on the line? I suppose it always is, a little. I am a firm believer that the Yanks should have made a change at the end of last year's disappointing run after being swept by the Tigers. But they didn't. I think the first to go will be Ron Guidry. That's because when you look at the Yankee bench, like many clubs, it's a Hall of Fame lineup, not a coaching lineup. Guidry may be "Louisiana Lightning" and "Gator", but is he a "coach"? There is a big difference. Is he a patient and knowledgeable teacher of the art and science of pitching, or is he a legend who knows something about the game and how to play it?

The difference was made clear the other day when I heard Met pitching coach Rick Petersen talking on the FAN. This guy clearly is not only a coach, but a pitching and motivational obsessive. Any wonder the Mets pitching has been so good?

Today should be a good day for the knuckleball, but the Yankees are destined to break out of this slump as some point. But the reality is that even when they do start swinging the bats, they just aren't built to win with their current pitching staff.

Best,

The Editor