Nova could be latter day Stottlemyre

It was Aug. 12, 1964 and rookie pitcher Mel Stottlemyre was called up by the Yankees. He went  9-3 and pitched three games in the  World Series--all at the age of 22.

Ivan Nova, 23, made his first start Aug. 23 and has pitched well in two outings. Nova was originally brought in for a struggling Javier Vazquez, but as the Boland Blog informed you last week, Nova isn't leaving the rotation any time soon.  At least during the regular season.

But, let's project a bit. The team needs three starters for post season, maybe four. If Andy Pettitte does not come back strong and A.J. Burnet continues to fade, do you not see Joe Girardi giving Nova a post-season start?  Why not? 

For the trivia buffs, Boston's Ken Brett (brother of George, the Hall of Fame player with the Royals) was the youngest to pitch in a World Series. He was 19 when he threw an inning of relief against the Cardinals in 1967. The youngest player was Fred Lindstrom of the New York Giants, who was 18 when he played in the 1924 Series.