ANAHEIM – Other factors figured into Mel Stottlemyre’s decision to return for an eighth year as the Yankees’ pitching coach, but the way his pitchers were punished by the Angels in the ALDS certainly played a part.
“It was something that stunned me and the baseball world that they got our pitching so well,” Stottlemyre, 61, said yesterday on a conference call to announce his return. “I felt like a whipped puppy dog. I never felt they could do that. I wouldn’t want to go out that way, the way it ended.”
Stottlemyre said his health improved in the second half of the season and figured into his decision. So, too, did the opportunity to be on hand for Roger Clemens’ 300th victory. Of course, Clemens, a free agent, has to return to the Yankees.
“I hope he returns and I hope to be in the dugout when he wins his 300th,” said Stottlemyre, who didn’t offer any viewpoint on whether Clemens stays a Yankee.
Clemens, who was unavailable for comment yesterday, has often talked about his 300th victory – he has 293 – being more special if Stottlemyre was on hand.
“It’s great for the Yankees and Mel,” said Alan Hendricks, Clemens’ long-time agent.
Hendricks refused to talk about his client’s plans for next year.
Joe Torre, who has credited Stottlemyre with a great deal of the Yankees’ success since 1996, wasn’t available yesterday but it’s safe to say he is pleased not to have to search for Stottlemyre’s replacement.
Stottlemyre, who will be 61 next month, was diagnosed with blood plasma cancer in April of 2000. Last winter he said this season was going to be his last. And after first-half road trips took their toll, Stottlemyre believed this was it. But he felt better in the second half and changed his mind about a week after the Yankees were eliminated.
“I am not ready for retirement yet,” Stottlemyre said. “I am feeling excellent and that had a great deal to do with it. I want to raise public awareness and that happens by people seeing me. I need another year of baseball and to stay in contact with my doctors in New York, even though I feel great.”