MLB - Sports Rumors

Tue Oct 07, 2008 2:09 pm EDT

Yanks' Mussina not certain of plans for 2009

By Joe Zedalis

Mike Mussina

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Most baseball insiders believe that Mike Mussina is ready to take his 270 wins and ride off into the sunset. Of course, the only opinion that matters is Mussina's, and the pitcher hasn't spent much time thinking about his future since the Yankees' season ended nine days ago.

Reached Monday at his home in Montoursville, Pa., Mussina told the Daily News that he is still undecided when it comes to playing next season.

"Not yet," Mussina said when asked if he was close to a verdict. "I'm just enjoying being home right now."

Mussina, who won his last start of the season to record the first 20-win campaign of his 18-year career, hinted after that game that he was prepared to hang up his spikes, though the idea of making a run at 300 wins - not to mention another chance at capturing that elusive championship ring - might be enough to bring him back in 2009.

"I haven't really put a timetable on it," Mussina said of his decision. "The playoffs are still going on and it still seems like the season just ended. I'm not rushing after it, but I know sooner or later I'm going to have to figure out what I want to do."

Source: New York Daily NewsNew Window

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124 Comments

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  1. johnny
    1. Posted by johnny Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Hang em' up. The Yankees haven't won a thing since you came on board.
  2. FRANCISCO B
    2. Posted by FRANCISCO B Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:20 pm EDT

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    Don't try to ask a player this kind of question until the smell of spring is in the air, then they will answer differently....specially when you are dealing with a vet that don't have a ws ring on his finger that could have more value than 300 wins...
  3. skeeziks
    3. Posted by skeeziks Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    Perhaps he will play another year, so he can get free airline tickets for his family.
  4. davfied
    4. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    We really want him back. If he pitches as he did this season he would have his 300 wins in 2 years and hopefully a WS ring or 2. Not to mention the extra $$$$$$$. No matter what you decide, it has been a pleasure watching you pitch for the Yankees and hearing the Moose chants at the stadium.
  5. Ryan S
    5. Posted by Ryan S Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    come back for 1 more year in the new stadium
  6. shawn w
    6. Posted by shawn w Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:10 pm EDT

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    Mussina is a beast and a credit to the game. Come back next year moose so u can help restore order to the universe and lead us back to where we belong.
  7. Y@nkee F@n
    7. Posted by Y@nkee F@n Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    OHHHH MOOOOOOOSSSSEEE.......I LOVE YOU! Please come back for 1 more year. I want to see you!! : )
    OK now I will be realistic. Will Moose give us the same #'s he did this season? I am on the fence about it. Moose is either off or on and he surely did so well but can it happen again?
  8. NYC Hitman
    8. Posted by NYC Hitman Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:36 pm EDT

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    I'm indifferent to having Moose come back for 2009 season in the new stadium.
  9. Robert F
    9. Posted by Robert F Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    mooseeeeeeee.... starting 1st. game in new stadium
  10. louie
    10. Posted by louie Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    If he came back, it'd be a certain plus for the yanks but if he didn't i would understand it perfectly and respect him for it. once a pro always a pro---thanks for all the great memories, mike.
  11. stewie
    11. Posted by stewie Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    always liked Moose. Loved what he did last year. Seems like a familyman who wants time with the wife and kids. the clock is ticking, he ll be 40 in Dec. so he might never reach 300. It would take at least two good years. My guess is that he ll retirre. Family over 300 wins and a ring
  12. davfied
    12. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Y@nkeeF@n,
    I hope you were in a seated position when reading the article. There is only one way for Moose to know if he can pitch effectively again. He will know in spring training. If he has the desire and ability he owes it to himself to come back. He can have it incorporated into his contract to be able to walk away whenever he wishes. I understand he would like to go out on a good note and not to be seen as a hanger on. He still hasn't gotten one thing. A ring. Two if you include 300 wins. I don't believe that would predicate him going to the HOF as I think he will make it anyway.
  13. Y@nkee F@n
    13. Posted by Y@nkee F@n Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:41 pm EDT

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    davfied… you said it right on point. It was just so upsetting to hear the "boo birds" last season when he was not doing well. I'd hate to hear it again. I was one of the few that stood by him. : )
  14. ken
    14. Posted by ken Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:54 pm EDT

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    the yankees need to get young,yes moose had a great year but sometimes when pitchers have good year they dont follow it up the next.he would have to pitch another 2 seasons to get to 300.andy and moose could come back even at a discount but it still wont be cheap when that money could be better well spent.
  15. Dirty D
    15. Posted by Dirty D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    Good get his old A$$ outta there along with Pettite and Steroidambi...pay CC, Ben Sheets, and AJ Burnett....resign Abreu and Grab Big Tex and they will once again be a force to be reckoned with!!! Go Evil Empire and F@#$ the Boston Red Sux....Yankee wannabes!
  16. stewie
    16. Posted by stewie Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    Dirty D, 3 top line pitchers & Texeria,, you must have a extra large christmas stocking, These are players making millings, not bubblegum trading cards
  17. RJ the yankee fan
    17. Posted by RJ the yankee fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:39 pm EDT

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    This guy should go to the hall whether he plays again or not. I'd take him if he wants to come back.
  18. just wanna play
    18. Posted by just wanna play Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    Youth is over-rated! Just look at Hughes and Kennedy. Spend the money and keep Mussina and Petite. Clemens is still available, there's Maddux, and now Shilling is even talking about being disgruntled with the RedSox and playing another half year. How awesome would that be?!?!?!? Spend away, Spankmees!!!!! 300 million is right around the corner! After all, it's only money!!!! See ya in the playoffs (in 2028)!!!!
  19. bigboo's bro
    19. Posted by bigboo's bro Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    I am a Yankee fan and I respect Mussina. I think he should try to play for a contender with a solid bullpen so he gets a decent shot at 300 wins and a world series. Unfortunately, that team is not the Yankees.
  20. John C
    20. Posted by John C Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:51 pm EDT

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    Why would the Red Sox want to be like the Yankees? Last I checked the Yanks are at home drinking their sorrows away, not headed to the ALCS. Not withstanding, Mussina had a great career and their is such a thing as going out on top and not hanging on forever just for the money like most do.
  21. RedSoxin2010
    21. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    I wouldn't mind him not coming back, it takes away one of the Yankee's best pitchers, Andy Petite clearly is on the down fall, and the Youngsters still haven't proved anything yet.
    Also Free Agents such as CC and Demspter pitch good in the regular season but playoffs they get shelled.
  22. jd 1
    22. Posted by jd 1 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:19 pm EDT

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    Bigboo, had Wang been healthy, do you think the Yanks would be out of the playoffs? They are back next year. Count on it. 17, as to youth being overrated, you should know. Its also wasted on the young. Try to have a point and don't suck.
  23. Lamar S
    23. Posted by Lamar S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    Wouldn't be the same watching the Yankees without Mussina - Moose is/was my favorite pitcher on the Yankees, but I alos had respect for Petittee. Being a Red Sox fan it would be strange watching the Yankees without Mussina and Petitte in the rotation.
    I disagree with writer that the lurer of 300 wiins and a WS ring will be his deciding factor. I think family and age will be his deciding factor. I think he knows he would have to have 2 more years like this season and I doubt he has that left in the tank.
  24. joarby2
    24. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    I have been a huge fan of Mike since the days with the Orioles. I wanted him to come to the NYY and I got that wish! Today, I am wishing that he will continue to pitch well into his 40s (doesn't matter what team). Just look at Moyer (45)...Mike could do the same! His career will be prolong if he try the NL but I am hoping he will pitch next season at Yankee stadium.
  25. RedSoxin2010
    25. Posted by RedSoxin2010 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Lamar S
    Mussina season sort of resembles what Tim Wakefield did last year winning 17 games, but this year he was off a little, he still can pitch but expecting him to have another season like the one he just had probably a long shot.
    If Moose wanted to go out on top this is his best chance to do so, winning 20 games is an accomplishment in its own.
    Very hard for pitchers to win 20 games.

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