Cliff Lee: I would have pitched on short rest

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The New York Yankees are starting their ace, CC Sabathia, on three days’ rest. The Philadelphia Phillies refused to start their ace, Cliff Lee, on three days’ rest.

Lee never had started on short rest, Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said, and the World Series was not the time to find out how he might react to it.

Manuel asked Lee whether he had pitched on short rest. Lee said he had not done so but would have been up for it.

‘I thought I made it pretty clear,’ Lee said. ‘I told him I would pitch whenever he wanted me to pitch. I think I can do it. ... I’m not disappointed or mad or frustrated or anything. My job is to pitch when Charlie wants me to pitch, and that’s what I’m going to do.’

-- Bill Shaikin