| Rob Intrieri. 14th July, 2005 - 12:52 pm
 In the first half of this season, the Yankees needed a hug. They came out of the gates with enormous expectations, predicted by Vegas to win over 100 games. But they tripped and fell, and have had a hard time getting themselves off the ground. In April, the Yankees went 10-14, a shock to the baseball world. They, and their fans, quickly got accustomed to losing. It seemed as if everything went wrong for the Yankees.
A Yankees rotation with such marquee names as Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano turned out to be just that, names. Suddenly, Bernie’s job in centerfield was so bad that he needed to be taken out of the position he had played his entire life. Of course, this started a Yankees carousel, sending a left fielder (Hideki Matsui) to center, a second baseman (Tony Womack) to leftfield, and bringing up a prospect (Robinson Cano) to play second base. Even when things were looking good, the Yankees faltered. After winning 16 of 18, the Yankees proceeded to lose 10 of their next 12. For the first time since 1997, the Yankees were not in first place in the AL East at the All-Star break.
Still, after a tremendously disappointing first half, the Yankees find themselves in a very palatable position. They sit only 2 ½ games behind the first-place Red Sox, their underachieving rivals. The same Red Sox with whom the Yankees start a four game series with tonight. With a sweep or even three wins in the series, the Yanks could quickly turn the tables on Boston. Who better to start the series than Mike Mussina, one of the few consistent starters for the Yankees this season, and a pitcher who normally has success versus the Red Sox.
But to have success, and possibly win the division, the Yankees need to forget about their atrocious first half and focus on the second half. They need to come together as a team, support each other, accept their roles and play well enough to win on a consistent basis. Clear the slates for the players. Kevin Brown, you’re 0-0 in the second half. Randy and Pavano, prove to us that you were worth the free agent dollars you received. Giambi, if you hit, they will cheer. Womack, you’re now primarily a pinch runner. Bernie, you’re now the starting DH for the New York Yankees. The players have to understand that they aren’t in bad spots, and that any fan would love to be in their spikes.
So Yankees, it’s time to suck it up and win. Show us that you’re serious. Turn some heads in Boston this weekend and become the juggernaut you were supposed to be. Beat up on Baltimore like they were your little brother. Start sweeping (or at least winning) series that you are expected to win. Run away with the division the way everyone predicted you would. Show people that the triple-digit win total produced by Vegas wasn’t so far off. Most importantly, show that you guys are champions. Get into the playoffs as one of the most feared teams, or better yet, as the favorite. Cruise through the Divisional series and duke it out with Boston in the Championship series. Prove to the world that last year was a fluke, that there’s no “Curse of the Bloody Sock” and that the Yankees were a better team than the Red Sox. Get to the World Series, show your superiority over the competition, dominate the opposition and come home with your 27th Championship.
Do all this, and I guarantee New York will offer a hug to their beloved Yankees. |
