Did someone say, "Intangibles?" Klapisch on another guy who couldn't succeed in New York

On Randy Johnson's performance in New York, eye-witness Bob Klapisch relates the following:

"At least one baseball executive said, "I happen to believe if you put Johnson back in the

• National League,
• closer to home,
• he can still be a factor."

Maybe not as a No. 1, but Johnson still throws hard enough to tame most NL hitters, even at age 44. With the D-Backs, the Unit instantly would become a No. 2 starter behind Brandon Webb.

Maybe everyone will walk away happy, or at least wiser. Johnson came to New York thinking he could shut out the noise and the frenzy, bullying reporters, distancing himself from teammates.

• The Unit assumed he could make it to the World Series (and career victory No. 300) without any emotional investment in the Yankees or New York.

• Turns out Johnson had neither the stuff nor the personality to become a star in the Bronx.

But that's not Cashman's fault; Johnson's acquisition represents the final gasp of the George Steinbrenner era --

• the last of a long line of marquee players who,
• despite their on-paper talent, somehow shrank in New York."

From Bob Klapisch's 12/27/06 column, "GO WEST, YOUNG MAN," The Record, North Jersey Media Group (and a BBWAA voter).

• Intangibles mentioned:

• 1. "Closer to home."

• 2. Lack of "emotional investment."

• 3. "Personality."

• 4. "Long line of marquee players who, despite on paper talent, somehow shrank in New York."

• 5. "National League," although this is more of a "tangible." (Newsflash to MVP voters).

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