Submitted by Michael E. Lee, May 12, 2008 14:44

Steven, thank you for voicing this truth! I acutely remember one of the two instances you allude to when Girardi held out Mariano in a close, tied game and ended up losing. It is excruciating as a fan to lose a close game with your best pitcher held back from the game. It's idiotic and infuriating.

As for Joba, I really don't know what is best for him from a developmental standpoint. In that regard, the Yankees management is the best judge. But why get just 50 innings of 8th-inning relief from one of your best pitchers, when you can get 120 or 160 or 180 innings instead?

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