Ex-jay Happ undefeated since joining pinstripes
NEW YORK Long before he became their summer saviour, J.A. Happ was a footnote in New York Yankees history. In Game 6 of the 2009 World Series, as a reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies, Happ allowed a two-run double to Hideki Matsui in the fifth inning. The hit gave Matsui six runs batted in for the night, matching a World Series record. The Yankees clinched the title a few innings later.
“Matsui, I remember that,” Happ said Wednesday. “Hanging slider. He was a monster.”
Happ is 35 now, with his next birthday a few days before the World Series. He has not been back, and neither have the Yankees. Happ won a championship ring just 10 games into his career, in 2008, and when the Phillies returned to the World Series, veterans told him to savour it.
“I’m like, ‘I’m trying, but I don’t know any different, it’s crazy awesome,’” Happ said. “But now, having played awhile, you realize how hard it is to get to the post-season and how hard it is to advance — but also how exciting it is. It makes you just crave to get back there.”
The Yankees acquired Happ from the Toronto Blue Jays for Brandon Drury and Billy Mckinney on July 26. Nine days earlier, Happ had closed out the All-star Game with his first save since his freshman year at Northwestern. He has won all five of his starts since the trade, with a 2.37 earned run average. His biggest start may come in October if the Yankees end up in a wild-card game.
The last Yankee to start and win each of his first five games for the team was Bob Turley in 1955. This was the fourth time he was dealt in July, and each time, he has had a winning record after the deal.