Charlie Manuel Hoping the Yankees Are Not, In Fact, Pedro's Daddy

Charlie Manuel seems like a nice guy. He's probably someones grandfather, or at least he looks like it. He's at least someone's uncle. But I'm pretty sure that no one gave Uncle Charlie the memo that the Yankees are Pedro's daddy.

Listen, Pedro has been great so far this playoffs for the Phillies. Like vintage Pedro great. But the teams he were facing were the same ones who couldn't hit John Smoltz or Brad Penny after the Yankees roughed them up in the American League. This is the Big Boys League. Pedro hasn't played in the Big Boys League in a long time.

Well how about success in the playoffs against the Yankees? That must be it, right? Wrong. According to MLB.com, Pedro is 1-2 with a 4.72 ERA in six postseason appearances against the Yankees, and is 0-2 with a 5.93 ERA in his past five. And one of those appearances, pictured on the right, was the Grady Little debacle in the 2003 ALCS. Do we think Pedro, 6 years later is better equipped to deal with a better Yankees lineup? 

Ok, ok...so maybe Pedro doesn't pitch so well in the hitters friendly Citizens Bank Park? Wrong again! Martinez went 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in five regular season starts at Citizens Bank Park, compared with 3-1 with a 5.66 ERA in four starts on the road. I know it's a small sample size, but that doesn't bode well in the ballpark that was dubbed "Coors Field East".

Does Manuel think a righty in a cold Yankee Stadium (Pedro's last start which is supposedly the basis of this was in 80 degree weather) is better equipped to deal with the short porch in right than a lefty who pitched in cold weather guiding his team to the World Series last year? Does Manuel have that little faith in Cole Hamels that if he goes to Cliff Lee on short rest he only wants him to start once in the World Series? Does Charlie Manuel secretly hold a grudge against Pedro for single-handedly beating the Indians--a team he was the hitting coach for--in the 1999 ALDS and want to embarrass him on baseball's biggest stage like he embarrassed Manuel a decade before? Is this a publicity stunt on the level of Balloon Boy?

Who knows Manuel's reasoning (I tried to listen but I really can't understand when he talks), but one thing is for certain: the New Yankee Stadium--like the Old Yankees Stadium--will be reigning down "Who's Your Daddy?" chants on Pedro Martinez on Thursday night.


And hey again, idiot Mets fans (yes, you), I know it'll be like your wife cheating on you, but you're welcome to watch along and see the Phillies and Pedro both lose at once. How sweet would that be for you?