I am a devout Yankee fan.
What that really means is I probably hate the Yankees more than almost anyone. It's difficult to understand where the disdain comes from, but it's presence is undeniable. With lofty expectations (which the Yankees have every year) comes the potential for unprecedented failure. Last year, the taste of defeat came in the regular season when the Bronx Bombers failed to make the playoffs. It was an excruciating experience, and one that I will not soon forget.
In the offseason, the front office went out and did what it does best: Find the biggest names available and pay them top dollar. That strategy hasn't worked so well since about 2003, but this year, things should be different.
The biggest change is pitching. With C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte, the Yankees have arguably the best starting pitching staff in the American League. If Phil Hughes can shake off injury and provide some decent innings in the fifth starter spot, flame thrower Joba Chamberlain can move back to his preferred slot, setting up for closer Mariano Rivera. The bullpen is stocked with a bunch of good, young arms who should be able to provide a lot of innings when the starters falter.
On offense, the addition of Mark Teixeira at first base makes an already solid lineup a formidable one, even if Alex Rodriguez doesn't come back at full-strength from injury.
In the National League, the New York Mets are the team to beat. Last year, the Mets choked down the stretch for the second season in a row. The biggest problem for the team all of last year was their bullpen. This year, the Mets added closer Francisco Rodriguez and setup man J.J. Putz, making the Mets relief staff a powerful force instead of a glaring weakness. The Mets lineup remains intimidating and pitcher Johan Santana is a stellar ace. If they can climb past the Phillies in the NL East and secure home-field advantage in the playoffs, the Mets will make it to the World Series.
The question for both the Yankees and the Mets is can these teams perform when it counts? Both have shown a recent propensity for crumbling under pressure.
Still, I have faith that both clubs will overcome their cowardice. In a subway series, the Yankees win in six games.
'Roided up cry babies that get $10,000 everytime they throw a ball 90 feet?
This sport turned into a bad joke.
W.A. I've read your glowing comments about the 76ers and the Eagles. Why is it that when your city of choice has a team that actually IS good, you turn your back on the sport they play?
I did watch the NLCS and World Series, and I do have to rep The 1st team in 25 years to bring a championship to the city. I just prefer that it was a Superbowl or NBA Championship.
Also I have to give props to Chase Utley for saying "World Fucking Champions!" on live TV after the parade, off a bet from Jimmy Rollins saying he wouldn't do it.
And the Phills repeat this year.
Philadelphia Fan. I grew up there. Had season tickets to the Sixers when they went to the Championship against the Lakers. The got crushed in the finals, but that was an amazing year.
7 games series against the Raptors that came down to a last second missed shot by Vince Carter. Another 7 game series against Milwaulkee. I miss living in a town with pro sports.
Sorry, Simon, but with another golden egg sitting under Steinbrenner in the form of Mark Teixeira it will be another long season with really big names and no results. The MLB needs a salary cap.
My beloved Sox, on the other hand, have picked up a wealth of veterans for peanuts (relatively speaking) and 10 dollars says we grab the AL East this year. The Skanks will stay above .500, and maybe even top the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this season :)
The Yankees will get pwned this year like they always do this decade.
The Red Sox are counting on Smoltz to be the guy who puts them over the top. That's going to be difficult considering he's not supposed to come back from the disabled list until mid-season.
Nah, I believe he's just going to be a bullpen-dweller and occasional closer. I just think he wanted to have a realistic shot at a title before his better days were behind him, as the Braves have not been productive since the mid 90's.
The Yankees won the World Series in 2000 and won the pennant twice this decade.
A cost analysis of number of world series and pennants to payroll this decade.
A shut up Worlds Apart. Just kidding. But come on. If teams don't have the money to compete, they should either dissolve or stop complaining. Why buy a major league franchise if you're never going to be able to keep the players you bring up in your farm system? It's not the Yankees fault they spend a lot of money to bring their fans the best baseball money can buy. Plus, the Yankees are entirely self-sustaining. They make a profit because they sell a lot of tickets and merchandise and they have enormous TV contracts with local networks. The TV networks shell out the cash, because they know lots of people want to watch those games. And the reason for all the interest? The Yankees have a bunch of great players that are fun to watch.
A salary cap might help a little, but teams like the Yankees (and Red Sox for that matter) will still go over the cap and pay the luxury tax because it makes fiscal sense to do so.
It looks like the NYY's CC Sabathia is taking the mound in the opener against Baltimore. Let's see what a seven-year, $161 million deal can buy.
they overworked him trying to get into the playoffs last year. I hope he does alright this year, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have another Mark Prior situation here.
Thanks Simon for giving sports fans some commentary on alibi.com. and as always, Go Cubbies! (I'll never learn)
They've only played one game, but already people are worried. Mark Taxiera (sp?) did horribly (although he always gets off to a bad start) and, as Fluffy Hairdo eludes to, CC was miserable. Thank god they still have 161 games to turn it around. Also, I agree. Go Cubs!
So, what the heck...Go Yankees! (after the cubs have gone)
