State of the Yankees Address

As I write this statement, I see a baseball team with no chemistry, little character, and only a small chance of extending a recent playoff streak that is rivaled only by the "Wish we could win a World Series" Atlanta Braves. (Is it me, or is Bobby Cox the best regular season manager in the history of baseball? Can somebody please give him a regular season championship trophy? I mean, from '95-'00, they had one of the best pitching staffs I have ever seen. 13 0r 14 straight division titles is impressive to say the least. However, choking that many times in the playoffs is just as unbelievable. But you know what, screw the Braves and their tomahawk chop. Two Words Braves fans. Jim Leyritz.)

Back to the Yanks. I suppose the GM is the person to blame for this. The personnel changes this team has made have been unbearable. Giambi. Sucks. Kevin Brown. Sucks. Bernie, as much as I love him, is in the twlight of a memorable career. The problem is, my teenage cousin Sara would have a better shot at throwing out someone at the plate. Cairo was one of their most consistent players last year and he was let go. John Lieber has a decent year, shows promise in last year's playoffs, and we replace him with Jaret Wright. Sorry Cashman, if in the past few years your successful moves were calculated into a batting average, as Michael Kay would say, you are somewhere on the Interstate. Besides Jeter, I find it difficult to get excited about seeing any of the other players on the roster. And that's a damn shame. I love the Yankess. Have my whole life. And I've watched them slowly fall apart over the past few years. Thankfully, George has a big wallet and can always stay at least one step ahead of the low budget teams. Add up the salaries of Giambi, Brown, Gordon (who also sucks), and Jaret Wright and that could pay the entire Kansas City Royal payroll. However, I bet the Royals play a more entertaining brand of baseball at this point in the season.

We have a team full of well-paid veterans that have already made a name for themselves in the majors. What's missing is youth and energy. That spark that only a player trying to make a name for themselves can provide. Think back 7,8,9 years. We had Jeter, Pettitte, O'Neill, Rivera, and Bernie. All during their breakthrough years. The old Yankees teams had heart. A few seasoned veterans that knew how to play the game (Boggs, Justice, Cone,Strawberry), and role players who were willing to do whatever it takes to win (a la Scott Brosuis). These days I wonder if this batch of Yankees would be able spell sacrifice bunt.

We'll see how this season plays out, but I am not going to make an early World Series plans. And while only one month of the season has passed, this Yankees team does not appear to have the right pieces to the puzzle. The scary thought is, I see things getting worse before they get better. A team full of High-priced, former All-Stars, washed up MVPs, and an injury prone pitching staff does not quite sound like a recipe for success. Does it?

No matter what happens. I'll always love the Yankees. I'll watch games simply because I love the team (no matter how many shitty players are on it) and because I love the game of baseball.