I am finding it harder and harder to root for the New York Yankees. Some of this melancholy feeling may have to do with the fact that I was sitting in Jacobs Field during one of the most heartbreaking losses I have ever seen - when the Yankees blew a ninth inning lead because the plague decided to attack Joba Chambarlain. But no, most of my dilemma stems from one of the worst off-seasons in my Yankee memory.
I have never been one of Derek Jeter's minions, who believes that he is the best shortstop in the game today. I leave that to Michael Kay and my dad. But I, like most Yankee fans, have to wonder what the hell happened this winter.
First he was decidedly un-clutch in the Divisional series against the Cleveland Indians. Then he was enwrapped in legal troubles after being caught by Uncle Sam for lying on his tax forms. You see Jeter claimed that Florida was his state of residence, despite the fact he lived in New York for the better part of eight months. The obvious reasons for doing so is that Florida does not charge income taxes while New York has some of the highest taxes in the country. Well, the IRS somewhat frowns on this. Jeter later settled out of court.
Lastly, a study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently came to the conclusion that Derek Jeter is the worst defensive shortstop in all of Major League Baseball. While this statement is a little harsh, it is not hard to make the case that Jeter is closely approaching the point in his career where he may be moved to a new position.
And do not even get me started with Jeter's nickname: "captain clutch." In my opinion, clutch does not exist. Jeter has come through in big moments because he has had more opportunities then any other player in baseball. Yes he has come through in these opportunities, but this can be attributed to being in the right place at the right time.
But unlike like Marc Antony, I did not come to bury Derek Jeter, nor praise him. Jeter is not the problem with this team, despite the fact that I may or may not have a personal vendetta against him. The real problem is that this team is full of un-likeable figures, number one being Hank Steinbrenner.
First of all, how can anyone take him seriously as long as he insists to continue to go by the name Hank? Have you ever met someone named Hank and said, 'Wow, there's a trustworthy fellow?' You hear the name Hank Steinbrenner and your first thought is used car salesman. So from now on I'm calling him Henry - the owner of the Yankees needs to have a regal imposing name, like George. Henry Steinbrenner just fits better.
After getting past the name, I'm still not sure there is any likeable quality to Henry. Actually I am sure that there is nothing redeeming about Henry Steinbrenner.
The way that he intentionally, even politically, broke off the trade for Johan Santana by forcing Minnesota to make a deal in 48 hours or he would pull it off the table. It not only set him up to look like power-hungry dictator, it also set up the Yankees, the team that Steinbrenner is supposed to be working for, to be less likely to win the World Series over the next few seasons. The New York Mets got Johan Santana without trading one integral player from last year's team. If Henry had been patient, and waited for Minnesota to realize that the market for Santana was not as great as once projected, he could have swooped in with an offer of Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera and stolen Johan Santana for 50 cents on the dollar. But burning bridges, not being patient, is the style of the Steinbrenner clan.
With the overwhelming stench of Henry clouding the entire stadium - it's a mix of raw sewage and rusted metal - it's easy to forget that one of the most unlikable players in baseball is manning third base.
The best way to describe Alex Rodriguez's summer is 'damage control.' First he announces that he is leaving the Yankees during game four of the World Series. Then he realizes that can't get a better offer anywhere else, and crawls back to Henry. This is the time that Henry should have used that bravado he saved for the Twins and said 'go to hell A-rod.'
Robinson Cano came up through the minor leagues as a third baseman with a cannon arm; he could have moved swiftly to the hot corner. At second base they could have filled it with anyone. Hell, the Yankees won World Series in the '90s using Mariano Duncan and Chuck Knoblach at second base.
Basically, losing Rodriguez would have been addition by subtraction, especially since new manager Joe Girardi is known for his notorious lack of people skills. I do not see this ending well for Rodriguez' poor psyche.
Here's the funny thing about this team: If Joba Chambarlain is as dominant as a starter as he was in the bull pen, if Phil Hughes turns potential into reality, if Chin Ming Wang is able to get past his horrific 2007 playoffs, if Andy Pettite didn't misremember how to pitch during the off season, if Ian Kennedy can be a reliable fifth starter, if Mike Mussina can go off into the pasture graciously and quietly, and if Mariano Rivera can go one more season without his arm falling off, the Yankees, once again, will be the team to beat.
If all of these things come true, then I guess my personal feelings about the team will disappear and I will just marvel at their greatness in the final season of Yankee Stadium.
If only.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
