When Mike Mussina opted to leave the Orioles to sign with the Yankees as a free agent, he cited a desire to earn a World Series ring, something he figured wasn?t likely to happen in Baltimore anytime soon. Six years later, he?s still waiting for that ring. Oh, he got to postseason play with New York every year, but the Yankees didn?t win.
This isn?t intended to denigrate Mussina?s accomplishments. On the contrary, he?s had an outstanding career: 16 years in the major leagues, a won-lost record more than 100 games over .500 (239-134), and a sparkling ERA of 3.63 in more than 3,000 innings. Yet, in postseason play, he?s only 7-8, which to some may indicate he can?t win the “big one,” but is more a reflection of his team?s inability to score him any runs.
When Mike first returned to town in pinstripes, I spoke with him about the future. At the time, he seemed to feel that he might have signed his last contract and would retire a Yankee. After all, he said, he?d still be shy of 40 years old, and there were a lot of other things he wanted to do in life. I wonder if he still feels that way.
Mussina?s Yankee contract was for six years and roughly $88 million. There was also a club option for a seventh year at about $16 million, and there are rumblings that the Boss isn?t inclined to pick that up ? hey, somebody needsto be the scapegoat. Should that be the case, Mike can either retire to his home in Pennsylvania, negotiate a lower figure with New York or sign elsewhere.
Here?s where it gets interesting. If the Yankee thing doesn?t work out, would he consider returning to Baltimore to finish his career? There were some hurt feelings around town when he left; not so much that he left, but that he left for New York. He could come back and immediately be the No. 1 starter, the elder statesman of a young pitching staff, a la Rick Sutcliffe?s role with the Orioles in 1992. It?s the kind of thing he might find appealing, in a mentor-student kind of way.
The Orioles could represent an oasis of sorts for Mussina. Despite a preference to play for a contender, unless he dropped his long-standing preference to play close to home, he?d have few options, as long as he wanted to remain in the American League. Boston needs pitching, but unless they open up some payroll space, might not be able to sign him. Detroit?s staff is loaded already. Cleveland is intriguing, but seems to be more interested in younger options.
Mussina turns 38 in December, and based upon his performance this season, seems to be pretty much the same pitcher who left here six years ago. If you accept the premise that good pitching beats good hitting most of the time ? and that starting pitching is a genuine crapshoot for the Orioles ? a return to Camden Yards would be beneficial on both a baseball and public relations front.
It?s worth a thought.
Phil Wood has covered baseball in the Washington/Baltimore market for more than 30 years. You can reach him at [email protected].
