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New York Yankees:
Empire Strikes back with A-Rod
The Most successful franchise in all major
American sports isn’t the Celtics, Lakers, Cowboys, 49ers,
or the Red Wings. The most successful franchise in all American
sports is the New York Yankees franchise. Since joining Major
League Baseball in 1901 the Yanks have won 39 American League
pennants and 25 World Series championships. Which means the team
is in the World Series every third year and wins it every fourth
year. During the 1900’s they more than a quarter of the
possible World Series championships. The Yankee’s are currently
on a three year World Series championship “draught.” Last
year, they finished first in the AL East for the 8th time in
10 years with a 101-61 record. They made it to the World Series
where they were beaten by the upstart Florida Marlins in six
games.
If an off-season isn’t dramatic for the Yankees then it really isn’t
a true Yankee off-season. They lost the pillars of their starting pitching when
they lost Andy Pettitte, Roger Clemens and David “Boomer” Wells.
They went and made blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kevin Brown
and Montreal Expo pitcher Javier Vazquez. They also filled the hole they had
in right field when they signed slugger Gary Sheffield. While playing basketball
third baseman Aaron Boone injured himself and would require that he miss at least
half of the season. So GM Brian Cashman brought in the best player in all of
baseball and reigning AL MVP, Alex Rodriguez, and promptly moved him to third
base. That move was by far the biggest trade of the break.
The Yankees have a prolific batting order that is incredibly intimidating to
most opposing pitchers. They finished 3rd in runs scored and home runs in the
American League. Of their normal starting nine, 8 of them are former All-stars.
At the top of the order is shortstop Derek Jeter, and center fielder Bernie Williams.
They combined to hit .293 with a .380 on base percentage. The heart of the lineup
gets even worse for pitchers. The 3-4-5 hitters are third baseman Alex Rodriguez,
first baseman Jason Giambi, and right fielder Gary Sheffield. The three combined
to hit 127 home runs and 357 runs batted in. Rounding out the lineup is All-star
catcher Jorge Posada, All-star left fielder Hideki Matsui, designated hitter
Ruben Sierra, and second baseman Enrique Wilson. All have been all stars except
for Wilson.
The Yankees pitching staff underwent a face lift
in the off-season and are now lead by pitchers Mike Mussina,
Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez. They are joined by Jose Contreras
and John Lieber in the starting rotation. In the bullpen is
ever-dependable closer Mariano Rivera who has successfully closed out 283 games
and has a lifetime ERA of 2.44.
Yankee Stadium is considered hallowed ground by some
and the “house the
Ruth built” by others. Either way it’s still a stadium that has seen
some of the greatest players of all time run across its green field.
Are you a New York Yankees Fanatic? Check out NewYorkYankeesFanatics.com!
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