Defensive Indifference

Far be it from me to besmirch the memory of the greatest Jewish pitcher of all-time, one of the top two Jewish baseball players of all-time (including the original Hebrew Hammer and a man deserving of the name Hank, Hank Greenberg), and probably one of the top ten Jewish athletes since Jesus (walking on water takes some serious skill, yo), but I don’t think Yankees regent Hank Steinbrenner quite appreciates the irony of this statement regarding the Santana negotiations:

“As for the Twins’ attempt to squeeze another pitching prospect out of New York in Kennedy, new Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner told the New York Times, ‘That’s not going to happen. To give up two of the three, there’s no chance, not for anybody - unless it’s [Sandy] Koufax, and that’s not happening.’”

Let me toss some knowledge at my boy Mr. Hankie the Yankee Douche:

Koufax: 131 ERA+, 1.11 WHIP, 9.28 K/9, 3.16 BB/9

Santana: 141 ERA+, 1.09 WHIP, 9.50 K/9, 2.50 BB/9

Santana, by pretty much every measurement (and most importantly the ones that take era into account), is a better pitcher than Sandy Koufax (or at least they are eminently comparable), and probably won’t be forced to retire at the peak of his prime. There, I said it, as much as it pains me. But the point is: Hank, you’re an idiot, and you’re my new favorite arrogant prick and source of unintentional humor. Santana is on pace to end up one of the greatest pitchers of all-time (certainly of the modern era) and you won’t go the extra mile to get him because he’s…better than an historical pitcher who is usually considered an all-time great? Who would’ve ever thought that old Georgie Porgie’s successor would be just as enjoyable to follow, and just as senile, to boot.

P.S. I’m throwing the Dumb GMs tag onto this one since it appears Mr. Hankie has castrated Cashman, for all intents and purposes.