injury-riddled, tension-filled seasons in New York a "black period" in his
career.
Considering the size of his contract and his complete
lack of production, Pavano in pinstripes became one of the biggest free-agent
busts in baseball history.
The right-hander has started to correct that wrong turn
this year with a decent performance for Cleveland and Minnesota, finding himself
in the playoffs with an opportunity to further frustrate the Yankees – if he can
win Game 3 for the Twins on Sunday.
"I can't ask for much more than that," said Pavano, who
was acquired by Minnesota in August. "When I look back on it obviously things
could have been a lot different, but it didn't work out that way. But I feel
like I am getting back to where I was before all those problems."
Down 2-0 in the best-of-five division series after a
devastating 11-inning defeat at Yankee Stadium on Friday, the Twins are in yet
another must-win situation after spending the stretch drive in that pressurized
mode.
They knew about Pavano's huge struggles to stay healthy
and the trouble he had finding friends in the clubhouse during all that time
spent on the disabled list. In two months, though, Pavano has had no problem
fitting in with the Twins.
"We're just a Minnesota-nice group, and we like the hell
out of the guy," manager Ron Gardenhire said, chuckling at the trashing Pavano
took in the city tabloids and by the New York fans through the duration of the
$39.95 million, four-year deal.
Pavano won only nine games and made just 26 starts in
that stretch.
This season, he went 14-12 over 33 starts combined for
the Indians and Twins.
"I just know one thing. What he has meant to us and what
he has helped us achieve here has been fantastic," said Gardenhire, who had to
patch together a rotation this summer with only two starters – Scott Baker and
Nick Blackburn – who stayed healthy for the entire season.
This young group was lacking a veteran leader, and
Pavano helped provide that. After failing to click with catcher Jose Morales the
first time he threw to him, Pavano took time to sit with the rookie in the
dugout during the next couple of games to discuss strategy.
"Those are the types of things you just can't replace,"
Gardenhire said.
Blackburn pitched strong into the sixth inning in Game
2, yielding only one run, but he reflected Saturday morning on New York's
"mentally exhausting lineup" – that endless supply of patient, confident,
powerful hitters. He expressed faith, however, in Pavano's ability to handle
them.
"He's going to know what they like to do," Blackburn
said. "He's going to know where they like to hit in certain situations. He's one
of those guys who pays attention to every pitch. He's always studying baseball.
He's always watching and trying to learn."
Added Blackburn: "He's a great guy to have on our team,
and I'd love to see him back next year."
That's the opposite of the way the Yankees felt after
last season.
Labeled "American Idle" on the back pages, Pavano had
problems with his shoulder, his back, his shoulder again, and then his elbow.
During rehab, he broke two ribs in a car accident and hid the injury from the
team. Then after starting on opening day in 2007 for the Yankees, he made only
one more appearance that year before needing reconstructive surgery on his
elbow. He didn't pitch again until seven token starts last August, with the
Yankees out of the running.
Pavano was criticized publicly several times, but at
this point the Yankees aren't interesting in revisiting the past.
"He wasn't a bad guy," general manager Brian Cashman
said. "I didn't feel like he stole our money."
Cashman compared Pavano's revival to that of designated
hitter Hideki Matsui, who has come back from knee problems.
"He's healthy and he's producing," Cashman said. "When
he's healthy, he can pitch."
Manager Joe Girardi missed most of Pavano's years with
the Yankees, but he downplayed the internal dislike – pinning the frustration
solely on his absence. Shortstop and captain Derek Jeter echoed that sentiment.
"They knew he was a good pitcher and they wanted him on
the mound," Girardi said. "That was the bottom line."
The Yankees won't have their rabid home crowd to boo
Pavano. They must instead put up with the tricky roof and boisterous fans at the
Metrodome, needing to win once to avoid going back to the Bronx for an
elimination game. It's an intimidating environment, one that the Twins have
thrived on for years.
Not so much lately in October. They're on a seven-game
postseason losing streak, including two losses each in 2003 and 2004 to the
Yankees in the first round, though that's not part of the thought process. Plus,
only a handful of current players were on those teams.
"We're just living for the day," Gardenhire said.
The Twins finished the regular season 17-4, including
that thrilling tiebreaker game victory over Detroit, and made up a seven-game
deficit to the Tigers over the final three weeks.
"Our backs have been against the wall here for a while,"
said catcher Joe Mauer, who's a bit banged up from playing so much down the
stretch. He said there's no question he'll be behind the plate on Sunday.
The Yankees were plenty loose while they took batting
practice in the afternoon, laughing and smiling as they worked out at the
Metrodome. They're wary, however, of letting up against a Twins team that put 21
runners on base Friday night and has been playing with desperation since early
September.
"You don't really want to let them get their foot in the
door," Girardi said.