Sarah Connors?

Kyle Reese: Listen. And understand. That terminator is out there. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead. - The Terminator (1984)

Chien Min Wang has just closed out the 2006 regular season with his 19th win. That's the most ever by an Asian pitcher, whatever that means. I can't decide whether that's a sign of the tsunami wave of players on their way to reinvent the Major Leagues over the next 10 years, or a simple unrelated coincidence. Either way, the man is a killer. He actually didn't bring his A game with him to the Stadium as he labored through 6 innings. It hardly mattered with the Nightmare on Elm Street lineup that the Yankees can throw out there now. He had his typical 11-3 GO:AO ratio, but the balls he had in play were very hittable and found their holes.

It's a pleasure to watch him work, even when he didn't bring his top shelf stuff with him. He's efficient, and he's in control. I like the way he immediately turns to Jeter to give him instructions after a guy reaches base. It's like, "Okay. He got me. It stops here. The ball's on its way to you Derek." Hopefully that cool and maturity on the mound will serve him well in the playoffs. He may be facing Johan Santana in Game One. I hope Detroit tanks, so Wang can start the playoffs against Kenny Rogers in Yankee Stadium. That would be sweet.

The other point I want to touch on tonight, has been a recurring theme here at COH. I was alluding to my amazement at Robinson Cano's progress recently and evoked the name Derek Jeter. It's way ahead of things to say it, but the kid is so damn talented. There's no disputing it at this point. Over the last 49 games, no Major Leaguer has more RBIs than Robbie. He's hitting home runs at a ridiculous clip too. I feel like going even further than Jeter tonight. I may be stupid and crazy and immersed in the hype, but I will put my ass out there in the wind and wonder aloud....

Are we witnessing the birth of the next Don Mattingly? Look at their numbers, calculated for a full 162 games, side by side at the age of 23.

RC - .344/.368/.531
DM - .343/.381/.537

RC - 640 AB, 220 Hits, 55 doubles, 1 triple, 21 HRs
DM - 639 AB, 219 Hits, 47 doubles, 2 triples, 24 HRs

The big difference in their stat lines is the runs, RBIs, walks, and Ks. I think the 1st two can be explained away by the place they hit in the lineup, and the second two are a result of Mattingly's legendary eye. Here's a look at those stats:

RC - 82 runs, 107 RBIs, 25 BB, 71 K
DM - 96 runs, 117 RBIs, 43 BB, 35 K

Anyway, those numbers are eerily similar. The following year, Mattingly won the MVP with 48 doubles, 35 home runs, 145 RBIs and a line of .324/.371/.567 for a .938 OPS. The next season was even better by some measurements as he hit 53 doubles, 31 homers, 113 RBIs and a line of .352/.394/.573 for a .967 OPS. For laughs, here's Robbie Cano's post-All Star projection over 162 games.

.369/.385/.656 for a 1.042 OPS
645 AB
238 hits, 76 doubles, 0 triples, 36 home runs
86 runs and 169 RBIs

His numbers since the middle of July are by far the best on the team. Only Damon, Jeter, and A-Rod have more Total Bases, but each has a significant number of at bats on Cano. His OPS is also by far the highest, with all due respect to Hideki Matsui and Andy Cannizaro, who have a small sample size to go by. That's all for now. See you tomorrow. Go Yanks.

ROB-BIE BASE-BALL......ROB-BIE BASE-BALL.......ROB-BIE BASE-BALL.........