Ah good old Ramiro Mendoza. I’ll admit it, I didn’t really appreciate his work until he was gone and the Yankees’ middle relief when to crap. Ramiro made 277 appearances for the Yanks from 1996 through 2002, including 57 starts, pitching to a 4.08 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 (taking out intentional walks), making up for the lack of strikeouts by getting grounders with his sinker. He’d give the team one batter, one inning, two innings, or five innings without a problem, the original version of Al Aceves. Knee and shoulder injuries derailed Mendoza’s career after he defected to the Red Sox as a free agent in 2003, though he did make one appearance with the Yankees in 2005, his farewell voyage as a big leaguer. They just don’t make relief help like they used to.
Anywho, here is tonight’s open thread. The Devils, Rangers, and Knicks are all in action, so there should be enough going on to keep you occupied. Talk about whatever your heart desires.