The State of the Pinstripers

Although not mathematically eliminated the Yankee season has been over for a few weeks now. It's tough for Yankee faithful to admit, but for the first time since 1995 there will be no post-season baseball. Equally tough to swallow is that not only are the Mets poised to make the playoffs, but so is Joe Torre. Do we think anyone up top (ahem... Hank) wishes this was still Torre's team. I don't, in fact I think it was time for Torre to go and was very happy with the decision with Joe Girardi.

I mean it's tough to blame this season on Girardi. Coming into this season the Yankees placed so much of this season in the hands of their prized home-grown talent. The very capable arms of Chein Ming Wang, Philip Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain. If you had told any Yankee fan that each of those arms would spend a significant amount of time on the DL, and all 4 would add up to only 12 wins total, but the team would still be in contention in late August you would take it. Yet any Yankee fan I know looks at this season as a total loss. I think we Yankee fans have been spoiled by the recent history of the team. I mean it's nice to make plans for the post-season each year. But in a season where injuries have forced Darrel Rasner, Carl Pavano and Sidney Ponson to each make important starts-you would have to deem this season a success. Of course I say that with teeth clenched as I wish the Yanks were playing ball next month.

Although pitching and injuries have played a huge role in the Yanks missing the post-season, the offense (and defense) has not gone without blame. All the way down the line, except for Johnny Damon every Yankee in the lineup is having a down year. Giambi will finish the season with 30+ homers and a 100+ RBI's while barely batting .250. Cano has been a big disappointment on both sides of the ball. Even Jeter while batting close to .300 is having a subpar season (accoriding to the high standards he has set). ARod had injury problems early, then distracting family problems in the middle of the season. Statistically his numbers will look fine, but I can't remember a single clutch hit he had all season. Abreu has been steady and solid, but also unspectacular. Melky (who I expected big things out of) was such a mess he got demoted. Johnny Damon hit well, but looked a step slow in the outfield. Bengie Molina played great defense, but has no bat. The Pudge pickup was nice, but he no longer is the force he was a few years ago. I think the absence of team leaders and big-time clutch hitters Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui were major reasons for this teams clutch hitting problems.

My pick for team MVP is really easy. Hands down it is Mike Mussina. Over the course of the season you always felt like you had a chance to win whenever he pitched. How many people would have said that coming into this season. I know I for sure wouldn't have.

So yes, while I am disappointed the Yanks won't be in the post-season, I'm proud of the way they fought threw a very challenging year. It's been a great run, but it's time to sit one out. Who knows, maybe this is exactly what this spoiled team needs to re-energize themselves and make a deep run in their new stadium next year. Till '09 and "the House that Jeter built"