It has been two years since the Yankees have been in the playoffs, 2 years since the Yankees have been division champs, and far too long since the Yankees have won a World Series.
This year could be the year. Never mind the air-head critics and Yankee-haters who say "they should win the World Series because they spent so much money," thats a heap of bullshit. The Yankees will win the World Series for one reason, they finally got it right.
Not since the dynasty days have the Yankees had this kind of team. The kind of team that is blended with both a core of veteran talent, an influx of young talent, all pulled together by a steady manager and a desire to win.
In those dynasty years, there was the veteran core of guys like Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neil, David Wells, David Cone, Joe Girardi combined with the influx of young talent, Derek Jeter, Marian Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettite among others; all guided by the hand of Joe Torre who understood how to mend the veteran and young talent while keeping a calm and relaxing clubhouse that resulted in winning.
Now, the young talent back then are now the veterans, and added to the mix are Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, C.C. Sabbathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, A-Rod, and Nick Swisher. The young talent now is Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, Alfredo Aceves, and Brett Gardener. This time the managerial hand guiding them is Joe Girardi.
No, Girardi is not Joe Torre, nor should he be. After 3 straight exits from the playoffs in the first round, it was time for a change. After the disastrous moves of acquiring Jose Contreras, Kei Igawa, Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, and Gary Sheffield, a different approach was needed.
That approach was simple, develop the young talent around the core of veterans and supplement the roster with the best free-agents, not the players with the best resumes, and no matter what, do forsake the farm system for a quick fix.
It was these moves that kept the Yankees season alive after a horrid start which included losing the first 8 games to the Red Sox. Joe Girardi despite being on the hot seat, kept his cool and let the season play out.
The return of A-Rod to the lineup gave an immediate jolt as the lineup was now extended and Teixeira had some protection. The flip at the top of the lineup, switching Damon and Jeter payed huge dividends. Phil Hughes being moved to the bullpen, and his ascent to becoming the bridge to Mariano Rivera. The stellar pitching from Sabbathia and Pettite all year long compunded with a lineup that deserves comparison to the Murder's Row lineup of 1927. The resurgent year of the Captain Derek Jeter who also became the Yankees all-time hits leader passing Lou Gherig.
Take your pick their is justification in it all. This year feels different than years is past. The Yankees are AL East Champs once again, and hopefully, in a couple of weeks I will be here writing about the Yankees being World Series Champs once again.
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