tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Life Without The Captain

Last night was a preview of what life will be like for the New York Yankees without their Captain, Derek Jeter.  Jeter was placed on the 15-day disabled list forcing the Yankees to start Eduardo Nunez.  Nunez went 2 for 4 with an RBI in a 12-4 rout of the Texas Rangers.  While it will be a long while before Jeter is replaced in Yankee history, this is an opportunity for the Yankees to see what they have in Nunez as a possible replacement.  Nunez will never be a Jeter, but the Yankees don't necessarily need him to be.  They need him to be a good defensive shortstop, a 270-280 hitter and someone who can stabilize the most important position in the field.  It also gives the Yanks the opportunity to showcase him for a possible trade to bring in a quality starting pitcher.  This will be an interesting 2 weeks to see what the kid has got.  It's tough to replace a legend but that's not really what the Yankees need right now.

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Encouraging news out of Tampa pertaining to Phil Hughes and his attempt to recover from a mysterious ailment that sapped him from his fastball.  Hughes pitched 3 scoreless innings in an intrasquad game striking out 6 while walking only one.  If he feels no pain after this stint, he will pitch for the Staten Island Yanks.  What a boost it would be if Hughes can come back to where he was last year.

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Tomorrow, more on baseball realignment, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup & the Yankees.