Yankee Rotation Has 53 Wins, but That Doesn’t Rule Out a Change

The New York Yankee rotation, the foundation of the team’s remarkable record, had more cracks last spring than a Bronx street after a hard winter:

* David Cone was coming off shoulder surgery and Andy Pettitte off back problems.

* Orlando Hernandez, only recently signed after making his perilous escape from Cuba, was headed to triple A, and Hideki Irabu’s temperament was still viewed as an impediment to his talent.

* Kenny Rogers had been traded to the Oakland Athletics, Ramiro Mendoza was an uncertain quantity as a regular starter and David Wells, who had almost staged a clubhouse fight with owner George Steinbrenner in 1997 and had bristled at what he considered Manager Joe Torre’s lack of respect and confidence regarding Wells’ playoff assignments, seemed to have become more of a Babe Ruth caricature than a character capable of throwing a perfect game.

Now, Cone, Pettitte, Hernandez, Irabu and Wells are a combined 53-17, and those 53 victories are more than 16 other major league teams have. Mendoza, 5-2 with a 3.58 earned-run average, has been excellent as a spot starter and special-assignment reliever. He would be a probable second or third starter in most rotations.

The Yankee quintet is being compared to that of the illustrious Atlanta Braves, although Cone, who faces the Angels tonight at Edison Field with a 14-3 record and 3.44 ERA, expressed caution when asked if the Yankee rotation had reached the Braves’ plateau.

“Potentially we could, but I’m reluctant to say that [we have],” he said. “We can put a No. 1-caliber starter out there every night, but I think we have to do it over a longer period of time, like they have.”

There is also the possibility that a Yankee rotation that is tied for the league lead in complete games and is the linchpin for the league’s only sub-four team ERA (3.65), may be together only a few more days.

Steinbrenner is said to be nervous about the possibility of the Cleveland Indians, a potential rival in the American League’s championship series, acquiring Randy Johnson, if the Seattle Mariners make him available before Friday’s non-waiver deadline.

Would Steinbrenner part with Pettitte? Mendoza? Highly regarded prospects Ricky Ledee and/or Mike Lowell?

“The Mariners have said they’ll call if they decide to trade Johnson,” General Manager Brian Cashman said. “At this point, he’s not available, so there’s nothing else I can say about that.”

And if the Yankees get Johnson?

“I suppose we could go to a seven- or eight-man rotation,” Cone said, laughing. “That would be crazy, but we all know that anything is possible.”

Cone is proving that.

At 35, having undergone October shoulder surgery, Cone is having his best season since he won the Cy Young award with his 16-5 record for the Kansas City Royals in strike-shortened 1994 and his 20-3 bell-ringer with the 1988 New York Mets.

“I have to keep reminding myself that we didn’t expect him back until June,” Torre said. “The most impressive thing is that he’s been able to keep his pitch count down and still give us innings. The length is a real bonus.”

Cone beat the Detroit Tigers in his last start, 5-1, striking out 10 and allowing only one walk in eight innings. It was the 10th time in his last 11 starts he has permitted fewer than three earned runs.

He is tied with Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux for the major league lead with 14 victories, and his ERA would be 2.51 if the 16 runs he allowed in his first two starts were subtracted.

He has also emerged as a Cy Young rival to Martinez, although he said, “My record is simply indicative of the team’s record.”

Perhaps, but with the Yankee rotation something of a team within the team, each starter feeding off the others, Cone, as Torre said, “is still the leader, still sets a tone.”

That is not to detract from the emergence of Irabu (9-4, 3.19), the arrival of the exciting Hernandez (5-2, 2.43), the career-best dominance of Wells (12-2, 3.68) and the consistency of Pettitte (13-6, 3.70). But Cone generates a special fire.

“I’m a little different pitcher now,” Cone said. “It’s tough for me to compare to last year or recent years.

“I’m trying to be more creative and less predictable. I’ve never had more fun changing angles and looks. I’m more innovative and aggressive now.”

Cone said he has been inspired watching the equally innovative Hernandez, El Duque. How he throws those sidearm fastballs to right-handers.

Despite his success, though, Cone said, “Until I get through the rest of the year unscathed, I won’t be happy. Last year at this time it was the same thing. I was talking about how great I felt and then my shoulder gave out. It may be that I’ll have to back off some, cut down on the innings and pitch counts [so that he’s 100% in October].”

Cone went 3 1/3 innings as the Game 1 starter in the division series last year, and that was it. He didn’t start again, and the Yankees were eliminated by the Indians.

“My biggest fear is not failing in the postseason but not getting the opportunity,” he said. “Last year was the most difficult situation I’ve been through, sitting on the bench and not making another start. I’d rather go out there and get my butt kicked than not go out there at all.”

Cone goes against the Angels tonight with a 5-3 record on the road and 9-0 at home, where he feeds off the zealots and the Yankee dominance.

In addition, Cone has started 87 games without having lost two in succession.

It is a remarkable illustration of his tenacity--and important as a tone setter for a rotation with one of baseball’s healthiest tones.