He's a slender guy and there's a lot of mileage on that right arm.
What's this, his 10th season? How many appearances in those seasons, on the average? Early in his career they'd bring him in during the 8th. Closers go quickly when they finally go, and for all of the big guns on the Yankees, he's the one guy they can't win a Series without. Gordon can't carry his jock.
Too bad, because he's also one of the guys on the Yankees you can't help but like no matter who you root for. Same kind of class act as Bernie Williams.