WWCJS (What would Colonel Jessep Say...This is the section where Colonel Jessep responds to a pressing question from the show today)

Chris Russo talks to Colonel Nathan Jessep about the Joba situation:

RUSSO
We'll get to the Mets in just a minute, sir. A moment ago you said that you ordered Hank to order Cashman not to touch Joba.

JESSEP
That’s right.

RUSSO
And Cashman was clear on what you wanted?

JESSEP
Crystal.

RUSSO
Any chance Cashman ignored the order?

JESSEP
Ignored the order?

RUSSO
Any chance he just forgot about it?

JESSEP
No.

RUSSO
Any chance Cashman left your office and said, “The old man’s wrong”

JESSEP
No.

RUSSO
When Cashman spoke to Girardi and ordered him not to touch Joba, any chance they ignored him?

JESSEP
Have you ever spent time in a major league front office?

RUSSO
No sir.

JESSEP
Ever served in a bullpen?

RUSSO
No sir.

JESSEP
Ever put your future ace in another man’s hands, ask him to put his ace in yours?

RUSSO
No sir.

JESSEP
We follow orders, son. We follow orders or set-up men die. It’s that simple. Are we clear?

RUSSO
Yes sir.

JESSEP
Are we clear?

RUSSO
Crystal... Colonel, I have just one more question before I call up Mets and Spurs talk. If you gave an order that Joba wasn’t to be touched, and your orders are always followed, then why would he be stretched, why would it be necessary to transfer him to the rotation?

JESSEP
Joba was a sub-standard set-up man. He was being transferred out of the pen because...

RUSSO
But that’s not what you said. You said he was being transferred because the Yankees season was in grave danger.

JESSEP
Yes. That’s correct, but..

RUSSO
You said, “The Yankees were in danger”. I said, “Grave Danger.” You said...

JESSEP
Yes, I recall what...

RUSSO
I can have Eddie Erickson read back your...

JESSEP
I know what I said. I don’t need it read back to me like I’m a damn..

RUSSO
Then why the two orders?

JESSEP
Sometimes managers take matters into their own hands.