Javy Vazquez (8-7, 4.68 ERA) sat down with the Latin press at Yankee Stadium this Wednesday. (Photo by Bill Menzel)

Yankee Stadium—The Yankees continued its monthly Spanish Language press conferences on Friday afternoon, July 23, with Javier Vazquez responding to reporters’ queries. The veteran hurler, who returned to the Bronx this season in a trade with Atlanta, was a member of the club in 2004.

The first questioner asked Vazquez for his opinion regarding his poor start in pinstripes this season, Vazquez replied, “I think the principal error I made was putting too much pressure on myself by trying too hard to impress.” He said the pressure came because of the problems he had with the Yankees in 2004. Vazquez went 14-10 in 2004, but compiled his highest ERA, 4.91, since his sophomre season in the majors with Montreal in 1999.

Another reporter asked him to compare his 15-10 mark and 2.87 ERA with Atlanta last year to his current 8-7 record and 4. 68 ERA. He responded, “The difference between last year and this was in the beginning. Little by little, I’ve improved. Last year was a good year for me. This year, I would like to win the World Series with the Yankees.”    

The veteran hurler, who has pitched eight seasons in the National League and is currently in his fifth season in the American League, was asked to compare the two leagues. Vazquez said, “The American League is more difficult because of the designated hitter. It is a tremendous difference in the National League where the pitcher bats and it is much easier to get out of trouble.”

He compared the ballparks in the respective leagues by saying, “I don’t pay much attention to the parks. I’m a fastball pitcher, so I know some parks are larger. I don’t see much difference [even though] there is a big difference between the leagues.”

The native of Ponce, “La Perla del Sur”, in Puerto Rico, was asked to a assess what was called a decline in Puerto Rican baseball. He replied in a  thoughtful and lengthy assessment to a question, “I have answered many times.” The major league pitcher who will reach 34 years of age on July 25, explained, “I think you can’t compare the eras. When I was child we played ball outside all the time. Now, there are computers and video games for children. They don’t go out as much to play ball.”

Vazquez was also asked to state his opinion regarding the inclusion of players from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela in the annual MLB Draft. Vazquez responded artuclately and honestly to the complex query, “I don’t know what effect it will have. It’s very complicated.” Regardless of the situation, he believes, “If you’re good, you will be signed after the draft or as a free agent.”

The final and quite interesting question asked Vazquez to name his favorite athlete and his least favorite batter to face. Vazquez quickly named a basketball icon, Michael Jordan, as his favorite. “He’s a winner”, said Vazquez. Minnesota’s Justin Morneau is someone Vazquez does not enjoy seeing come to the plate. The hurler explained, “He’s a tremendous hitter who I don’t want to face him.”

The conference, as the ones that preceded it this season, provided an interesting and informative insight into one of the Latino Yankees.

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