Back from the dead

The Yanks got 7 strong innings from Mike Mussina tonight en route to what will likely be their 3rd win in a row.

But win or lose, Mussina finally, finally looked like a guy who's come to grips with his stuff and, more importantly, put faith in his catcher. Mussina shook off Jorge Posada once, by my count.

Mussina made two mistakes, and paid for both with home runs. The radar gun looked more like an AARP age range, but his location and speed changes, 83-63 kept the White Sox off balance all night.

Consider too, against the Red Sox, Mussina was throwing his fastball in the mid-80s and getting shelled. By pulling back just a little, he seemed to have a better idea where his pitches were going and the White Sox' bats were just a little too fast..

I've been calling for Mussina's head, but if he's set aside his stubbornness, maybe he can salvage his season and help the Yankees. By winnign games and truly being a mentor to those young guys (Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy) behind him.