Pinch Hitters

A poster at another website reminded me of an excellent point. With the way that Cairo was swinging the bat last night, why did Torre not pinch hit for him with Andy Phillips? They have Nick Green on the roster to back up the infield. That could have meant the difference in the game.

In fact, the Yankees, despite playing depleted lineups, have not been playing the matchups and pinch hitting this season. How many pinch hits have the Yankees used this season?

Bernie Williams - 6 (0 for 5 with 1 BB)
Jorge Posada - 5 (2 for 4 with 1 BB)
Miguel Cairo - 2 (o for 1 with a BB)
Andy Phillips - 1 (0 for 1)
Gary Sheffield - 1 (1 for 1)

I'm sorry, but that is a ridiculously low amount of pinch hitting. It is demonstrative of Torre's extreme trust for veterans like Miguel Cairo and Bernie Williams and his dislike for the young players who have ridden his bench throughout the year. I always remembered back in the championship days that Torre would pinch hit like crazy. Wade Boggs, Paul O'Neil, Tino, anybody. It just ain't happening anymore. Torre has lost his touch.