Quite Frankly: A-Rod A-Bandoned the Yankees

Let's cut to the chase...Alex Rodriguez, you are the biggest PIECE OF GARBAGE that has ever donned the Yankee pinstripes. How the heck do you walk away from the greatest franchise in the HISTORY of sports? You greedy, selfish indiviual! You care about only one person...Alex Rodriguez. You only care about one thing...money.

arod-end.bmpYou have all the money in the world...you have the richest contract in the history of sports..you are the greatest player (maybe ever) playing for the greatest team ever in the greatest city ever! How much more could you want?? We gave you the support this year that YOU wanted, and YOU asked for. You finally produced and did things a $25 million a year player is suppose to do..put up numbers that are inhumane (.314 avg 54 HR 156 RBI). We did get on your case your first 3 years here, but that's because you are here to bring us a world championship and you have done NOTHING to get us close to that. The MVP year you just had means NOTHING! You know why?? Because our rival the Boston Red Sox, won the World Series last night!! How did that happen? That hadn't happened in the 86 years before you got here, and since you arrived in New York, it's happened TWICE!

You say you opted out because you want to be where you have a chance to win every year...that's an insult to my intelligence. The Yankees (and maybe Boston) are the only ones who have a chance to win EVERY year. The Yankees are built every single year so they can win a championship in October. What you said about not wanting to come back because of the uncertainty of Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte, is complete baloney. How can you walk away from a team who was going to offer you $140 million for 5 years?? That was going to get added on to the $81 million and 3 years left on your current contract. You didn't even listen to the Yankees offer! How much money is enough?? What else do you want?

arod-by-himself.bmpYou could've been the best player of all time that played for the best team in history. You could've had your number retired along other Yankee greats and you could've had an Alex Rodriguez Day at the new Yankee Stadium. You could've gone into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, but now all that is GONE, because you decided that $25 million dollars a year isnt good enough for you. You are making the biggest mistake of your career and you will always be known as a FAILURE! You couldn't handle the pressure, you couldn't produce in the grandest stage of them all...NEW YORK CITY. You couldn't win a championship wearing the Yankee pinstripes! You, no matter where you go, will NEVER win a World Series and I hope you NEVER get to play in one. I hope no team offers you the kind of contract that you're looking for this winter.

You wonder why so many people hate you A-Rod?? This is why: You make your announcement during the final game of the World Series, you try and take away from baseball grandest stage. I hate the Red Sox just as much as I hate you now, but at least the Red Sox earned their right to be in the spotlight. This is just another example of you trying to be bigger than the sport itself. You are truly a piece of garbage. I don't care where you go, but remember...you'll be back. The All-Star Game is in Yankee Stadium next year and we all know you're going to be there. I can't wait til you get booed right out of the Bronx and I hope you get serenaded with a bunch of obscene gestures and chants and it gets so bad that you can't show your face. That's what YOU deserve. You turned your back on the Yankees, the fans, your teammates and most importantly your legacy...I guess the only thing that matters to you is money...and in that case have your money...the Yankees have won without you and they will win again without you...I just hope you're in the other dugout one day to witness it firsthand.

Yankees Payroll Under A-Rod: Over $200 Million
Yankees World Championships Under A-Rod : 0
Yankees FIRST Round Defeats under A-Rod: 3
A-Rod Salary Under Old Contract: About $25 million a year
A-Rod Watching the Yankees Win the World Series in the Vistor's Dugout: PRICELESS


Some things money can buy...but what you can't buy A-Rod...is PRIDE. That went right out the door...and into the hands of the devil, your agent Scott Boras. I say get out of here, A-Rod. It's time for New York to win a championship...without you!
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The Bronx Starting To Feel a Little Empty

oct29.jpg

Not a good day if your a Yankees fan. This is just SOME of the media coverage today. It's been a busy few weeks since the Yanks were eliminated in the Divison Series. Also today, the first day that players can file for free agency, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada did just that. The Yankees are now on the clock with both players. The Bronx, really is burning these days..wow.
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BREAKING NEWS: A-Rod to Opt Out

arodoptout.bmpSI.com is reporting tonight that Alex Rodriguez will opt out of his record setting 10-year $252 million contract. A-Rod informed his agent Scott Boras of the decision Sunday. Boras then put the opt out in writing and left Yankees GM Brian Cashman phone and text messages.
"Alex made the decision today,'' Boras said. "I thought we should notify the club.''

If this story holds true, the Yankees are in need a new third baseman. The loss of Rodriguez will shakeup the Yanks offseason agenda. New York was prepared to offer Rodriguez a contract extension of about $140 million for 5 years, adding on to the $81 million and 3 years left on his current deal. The opt-out will mean an end to Rodriguez' tenure in pinstripes. The Yankees have stated that they will not offer Alex a contract should he choose to opt out and become a free agent.

The Yankees reportedly will announce the hiring of Joe Girardi as the new manager within the next few days. Now, it appears they will announce the opt-out of Rodriguez and continue an off season of change. It's only been 3 weeks since the Yankees got eliminated in the Divison Series and already Joe Torre is out as manager. A-Rod appears to be right behind him. The exit door in the Bronx remains open...let's see if anyone else walks out that door.
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Report: Joe IS Your Man

amd_newbackpage_10-28.jpgIt appears Joe Girardi IS going to be named the next manager of the Yankees. The announcement can come as early as today or tomorrow according to a report by the NY Daily News.

Gerenal Manager Brian Cashman holds the recommendation on who he thinks will best suit the Yankees managerial opening, and he will present that idea to the Steinbrenner family. One indication that Girardi is the favorite is that one source told the Daily News last night, that "in no way would politics enter into Brian's decision" , an indication Cashman is not making his decision based on popularity.

Also what seems to be interesting about this developing situation is that Cashman has talked to many of the Yankee players, even the free agents to be. They all have given their support and have no issue with any of the 3 candidates. That seems to be a big step in naming the new manager. For now, we'll all have to wait and see...what else is new...
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Kidd dazzles in debut as Nets top Knicks again

The rivarly continued last night at Madison Square Garden, even if it was still the preseason. Unfortunately for the Knicks, so did the Nets' dominance. New Jersey has beaten New York in it's last 6 meetings, dating back to last season. Both teams were playing in their preseason finale. After beating the Knicks on October 18th in Jersey, the Nets pulled out another win against their rivals from across the river, 102-86.

kiddny.jpgFor the first time since last December, the Nets had their starting 5 on the court. That included center Nenad Kristic and point guard Jason Kidd. Kristic was sidelined in December with a knee injury that ended his season prematurely. Kidd made his preseason debut after sitting out the first 6 games with a lower back strain. The Nets appeared to click on all cylinders, as Kidd was the catalyst for a fast paced attack, the type of motion the Nets are known for. Kidd finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 minutes.


    Via Matt McQueeny, NJNets.com


"He is one of a kind. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer. It is amazing the impact he has even in an exhibition game. He is one of those rare guys who makes everyone raise their level. Not only their energy level but their accountability level" Said Head Coach Lawrence Frank.

Vince Carter added 22 pts, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, Kristic helped out with 4 pts and 5 rebounds after sitting out Thursday's game against the Sixers.
"I had two good practices. I have done my treatments. I feel great and I am ready to go." said Kidd.

The Nets certainly hope so, he's one of the main cogs for New Jersey, along with Carter and Richard Jefferson. They will need all 3 to be healthy and play up to their capability if they want to make a run for the Atlantic Divison crown. Next up for the Nets, the season opener Wednesday night in Chicago, against the Bulls.
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Devils open up new home with loss

devils-prud.jpgLast night was the home opener for the New Jersey Devils and it was the first hockey game played in the brand new, state of the art Prudential Center. The new arena is nicknamed "The Rock" to go along with the Prudential logo, but the Devils defense did nothing close to being rock solid.The Devils allowed 3 third period goals on their way to a 4-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The loss didn't send the sellout crowd of 17,625 home too happy.

Via Kristie Ackert NY Daily News:
It would have been nice, but I guess it was not meant to be," said goaltender Martin Brodeur. "It's a great building to play in. It's kinda early to tell, but it seems to have a great atmosphere, and the technology is a lot different (than the Meadowlands). It looked good."


NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was on hand for the festivities in Newark. He mentioned how great the arena was and how it was great for the Devils, the fans and for the NHL. "This gives the fans of the Devils and the Devils a real home."devils1.jpg

With the score tied 1-1 going into the third period ,the Devils allowed goals to Shean Donovan, Mike Fisher, and Daniel Alfredsson . Ottawa owns the NHL's best record at 9-1. The Devils started the season on the road with 9 straight road games, tying Quebec (1980-81) and Carolina (1999-2000) for the longest road trip to start an NHL season.

The new arena marked a new beginning, for the Devils, for the city of Newark and for the NHL. If last night was any indication of things to come, the Devils might be thinking how good the Izod Center (formerly Continental Airlines Arena, the Devils home for the last 25 years) look now? Probably still not great, but at least for one night the new arena took away from the attention on the ice.
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Quite Frankly: Joe's Your Man

joe-girardi.bmp Joe Girardi that is.

It seems as though the Yankees and their front office, like to keep everyone waiting and guessing. By now, you should know what happened with the whole Joe Torre situation. After a week and a half of organizational meetings, they decided to "offer" him a 1-year contract with incentives based on his performance. An offer that Torre felt he had to refuse (1-year $5 million, with an additional $1 million for each round of the postseason he reached). The attention has since, turned to find a new manager. The 3 candidates the Yankees have in mind: Girardi, Don Mattingly, and Tony Pena. All of whom, are within the Yankees organization.

The Yankees conducted interviews with all 3 this past week in Tampa. Girardi on Monday, Mattingly on Tuesday and Pena on Wednesday. Who is the favorite to be Torre's replacement? That depends on who you ask. Hank Steinbrenner and General Manager Brian Cashman both agree on Mattingly being the favorite. Girardi's interview was said to have gone better than expected, while Pena's interview was in need of being exceptional in order to get high consideration.

The best choice in my opinion for the Yankees managerial position is Joe Girardi. And here's why:

- He knows the New York media and the New York media knows him.
- Girardi has some managerial experience, having managed the Florida Marlins in 2006 and won National League Manager of the Year. He kept them in the hunt for a playoff berth until September, a feat no baseball person thought was possible that year.
- He is a former catcher and it's known throughtout baseball, former catches usually tend to make good managers. He has an understanding for pitching and youth, both of which the Yankees are now trying to incorperate into thier success.
- Having been bench coach in 2005, Girardi had a front row seat to Torre's everyday decisions and daily media circus.
- He has an established relationship with many of the Yankees players, most notably Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera. The latter 3, are all potential free agents, so his hiring might sway the free agents to be, to stay in the Bronx.
- He can be laid back but has an aggressive, in your face sense of managing, something the Yankees have arguably lacked over the last few years.
- This "Joe" also came in 1996 and replaced a Yankees fan favorite, Mike Stanley. So replacing someone who the fans loved is nothing new.
- Finally....he is a proven winner. He knows what it takes to win it all in the Bronx, having won it in '96.

girardi-mattingly.bmpYes, there could be many debates on why Girardi shouldn't be manager, but the same can be said for the other 2 candidates. I would go with experience if I were the Yankees front office. Not just any experience, but Yankee championship experience, something the other 2 men lack.

According to ESPN, the decision on who Joe Torre's replacement, might be announced as soon as Monday, if given permission by MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, as Major League Baseball does not like to have any major announcements on the days of World Series games (Monday would be an off day for the Series.)

On a positive note, the last time the Yanks had a new manager named Joe, they won the World Series in his first year. Let's see if history repeats itself...Yankee Stadium needs to say goodbye the right way, with a World Championship, as it closes it's doors for the final time.. in 2008.
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Nets continue preseason with win over Celtics...still no Kidd

antionewright.jpgThe new look Boston Celtics came to town Tuesday night and invaded the Izod Center, formerly Contential Airlines Arena to face the New Jersey Nets. The end result was a 82-71 Nets victory. Celtics coach Doc Rivers decided to rest his main attraction, the All-Star trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. They weren't in uniform for Tuesday's contest as Rivers wanted to go with 8 players.

The Nets got production from Vince Carter who had 12 points and 7 assists as a fill-in point guard for the night. Jason Kidd who is the usual starting point guard was absent for the game due to a lower back strain, and back up point guard Darrell Armstrong sat out with a sore left ankle. Richard Jefferson scored 11 points, but did not see any action in the 4th quarter. Carter also sat out the 4th. Bostjan Nachbar added 15 points and Antoine Wright scored 14 in the win.

With the victory, the Nets are 3-1 on the preseason. They have two remaning preseason games,Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers, and Friday against the Knicks at MSG. The Nets open up the season at home against the Chicago Bulls next Wednesday, Halloween night.
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Joe Says It Ain't So

aabp015joe-torre-2000-world-series-celebration-photofile-posters.jpgOn Thursday afternoon the New York Yankees took their first step in a new direction. A 4pm conference call was announced and the Yankees Team President Randy Levine spoke. He offically announced that Joe Torre rejected the Yankees offer of a 1-year $5 million offer with a $1 million bonus for every round of the postseason he reached. It marked an end of an era and it was the beginning of something new.

You can argue that this was a move the Yankees should've made a year or two earlier but ask most Yankee fans and they'd tell you they'd prob prefer Torre as the manager. Who else can replace the man that brought back prestige and respectability to the pinstripes? He made Yankee Stadium the place to be the last 12 years. He instilled fear and imtimidation in the opposition. Or was that something the Yankee players did themselves? It was a combination of both, and that's what made it work. That's what got the Yankees 4 world championships in Torre's first 5 years. The unity between the team and it's manager.

Torre became a household name in New York. He was an icon. The same way we knew why Derek Jeter was a superstar, was the same reason we loved Joe...he won so much and won so often. So popular that his decision to reject the Yankees offer for 2008 had all the network news lead off with the story, helicopters hover over his plane arriving in New York Thursday, have a mass media frenzy in front of his house, and front and back pages of all the local newspapers. A key to Torre's success was his trust and loyalty to his players. It's one of the reasons why players like Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera,and Jorge Posada love him so much. Ironically these 3 might also be on the way out as they are all free agents at season's end.

Via ESPN.com:
"I love Joe Torre to death," Pettitte told Houston's KRIV-TV on Friday. "He meant the world to me. I hate that he's not going to be the manager.

torre-straw.jpgRivera told reporters a week ago that his status might be determined on if Torre was back next year as the manager of the Yankees. Posada also hinted at the notion the fate of the manager might affect where his plays next season.

Joe Torre has been nothing but class and eligence since his arrival in November of 1995. No one knew him back then, now everyone in New York knows who he is. Some of us grew up only knowing Torre as the Yankees manager. Some of us have only seen world championships the way Joe has seen them, '96,'98-2000. For me as a fan he made me want to bleed Yankee pinstripes. He gained my trust, he gained my confidence and he gained my loyalty, as I'm sure he did with millions of people who followed the Yanks the last 12 years. I truly believed Torre would make the right decision in the most cruical spots. And most of the time he did. It was impossible for him to be perfect but he was close to it.

Via Mike Lupica NY Daily News:
If this sticks, it was the end of Torre's Yankees and everything they have meant and everything they have been. And it was the end of George Steinbrenner's Yankees, just because nobody will ever believe he is really calling the shots there ever again.

It was the end of all that. It's almost as if Torre and Steinbrenner leave the Yankees together.

The Yankees will win again someday, maybe as soon as next season, with another manager. There is still too much talent around and too much money to spend, and everybody can see they have a farm system again, and young arms. So this wasn't the end of the Yankees. Just the end of what they have been under Torre.
yankeesx.jpgIt's true he hasn't won it all in 7 years but the job he has done over the last few years has shown his worth. The days of the (11-19) 2005 Yanks, the (21-29) 2007 Yanks are some of those examples. He once shipped out slugger Ruben Sierra because Sierra had a "me"-first attittude and that's not what Torre stood for. Sierra came back and was a new man and had a new "team"-first attitude. Darryl Strawberry once said Torre was like a father to him. Jeter likes to call him "Mr. Torre"..a show of respect and admiration. Now, after 12 years Joe Torre is gone and no longer the manager of the New York Yankees. He was poorly treated and disrespected in his final days as manager. Where was the loyalty for Torre? How could you let a man that brought you so much success dangle and be tossed around like that? Where was the class of the Yankees brass? I agree with Joe, if they wanted him to manage the Yankees next year, then he would be the manager. I am disgusted by the way the Yankees handled Torre and the way they've done business this year. The way they handled Bernie Williams and now Torre. At this rate Pettitte, Posada and Rivera..you might want to start packing your bags, these aren't Torre's Yankees anymore and that could be a start of a long way down from grace..and the Yankees took their first step.
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QUITE FRANKLY: All I want for October...is a RING

Dear NY Yankees,

I am writing to you because I feel I need to remind you guys who of you are. You are the NY Yankees, the greatest franchise in sports. Nothing will ever take that away, but if you keep losing then what makes you so different from everyone else? I wear my Yankee gear all year round proudly, but why do you feel the need to torture me in the month of October? I am there for every pitch, yet I feel you're not. You're there in body, but I wonder if sometimes in mind, if you're there.

I have spent the last 8 and a half months waiting for this time of the year. The time of the year when you guys are suppose to seperate yourself from the rest. I have seen all the good ('96,'98-2000) and all the bad ( '97, '01-present) and now, the bad moments are starting to outweigh the good. I'm a little worried.

Derek, you're suppose to be superman. You are the man I turn to and trust. You are there when I need you, but where are you this October? I need you to come through, I need you to be your self again. It's better if that old Jeter shows up late, than never at all. I need one of those Derek Jeter postseason moments. I know you got a few of them left in you.

Alex, where I begin? I don't care how much money you're making, but PLEASE get a hit, or 2, or 3? Whatever you do, PLEASE help this team win. We need to win now!

Roger, oh Roger can you PLEASE be "The Rocket" for at least one more night? With the whole world watching PLEASE show everyone why we gave you 28 million.

You are the guys I look to carry this team and get it going.

I need you to do this. I hate the winter and the shorter it is, the better. It's not even cold outside yet and you're gonna go home already? NO! I will NOT accept that. You are MY NY Yankees, you are everyone's else's NY Yankees! Play like you are. I need hits, I need sacrifices, I need diving catches, I need hustle, I need concentration, I need strikeouts in big spots, I need it all! I may be asking for a lot, but you are the NY Yankees, nothing is too much for you guys. You have no kryptonite, you have no fear.

I do NOT want to face months and months of football, hockey and basketball. This is our last chance to do something great, PLEASE do it. PLEASE win 3 in a row..you can do it, I know you can. The first round never used to be this hard, but it is and now I need you to come through or I'll spend the next few months questioning my faith and my love for you. I will always be there for you, now it's time for you to be there for me PLEASE oh PLEASE, don't go home tonight. Not tomorrow night, not any night, until we reach that 27th championship. If you can't do it for me, then do it for yourselves.....because you are the NY Yankees and NO ONE can take that away from you. I'll be watching tonight..are you going to show up?

Sincerely,
A Very Concerned Fan
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Yanks Season on Brink After "Invasion"

Last night was the kind of game that we'll all remember, but for all the wrong reasons. A swarm of Candian Soilders came into the game at the worst possible time. In the bottom of the 8th as Joba Chamberlain was about to start the inning he signaled to the dugout for bug repellent. The end result of the 8th inning was a leadoff walk, 2 wild pitches and the tying run scoring on the latter of the 2 wild pitches.

Via Jerry Crasnick ESPN.com:

"Just when you think you've seen it all, you see something new,'' New York shortstop Derek Jeter said. "I guess that's the home-field advantage for them -- just let the bugs out in the eighth inning. It worked.''

Last night ended with a 2-1 Indians win in 11 innings. Travis Hafner had the game winning hit after turning on a 3-2, 2 out, bases loaded pitch from Yankees reliever Luis Vizcaino. With the victory last night the Indians are now up 2-0 in the best of 5 series and are now one win away from reaching the ALCS. The series now shifts to Yankee Stadium for Game 3 Sunday night.
Via Mark Feinsdad NY Daily News:
"The only thing we can do is win one game at a time," Joe Torre said. "I know it sounds trite and you've heard it before, but that's where we are and that's what we need to do. We can't really worry about Monday or Wednesday until we get one under our belt."

What will be overlooked is the starting pitching for Game 2. The Indians' Fausto Carmona dominated the Yankees lineup through 9 innings with his power sinker. He was reaching 94-97 mph all night with it. His one mistake was a hanging slider to Melky Cabrera in the 3rd inning. Otherwise he was exactly what the Indians hoped he would be. A night earlier in Game 1, Cleveland's other ace C.C. Sabathia was wild and in trouble but never gave in and pitched just well enough to keep his team in the game and pick up the win. Carmona struck out 5, giving up 1 run on 3 hits.

Yanks' Game 2 starter Andy Pettitte was the guy Torre wanted out there. He felt comfortable with Pettitte giving him the pitching performace his team needed, and Pettitte delivered. Pettitte lasted 6.1 innings before giving way to Chamberlain in the 7th. All night Andy danced in and out of trouble, picking off Kenny Lofton on 2nd base to end the 5th and retiring 3 straight Indians after giving up a leadoff triple to Grady Sizemore in the 6th. Those were just some of Pettitte's highlights last night. His postseason experience proved to be vital as he made the slim 1-0 Yankee lead hold up.

For the second straight game, the Yankee offense was nowhere to be seen. Alex Rodriguez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and is now 4-for-47 with no RBIs in his last 14 playoffs games. Johnny Damon, Jeter, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, and Robinson Cano all went hitless last night, a game that lasted 11 innings. The Yanks season is on the brink again in the first round for the 3rd consecutive season.

Via NY Daily News:
"We'll win two games at home and we'll come back here," said Pettitte, who gave the Yankees 6-1/3 shutout innings in the loss. "We need to win three ballgames and that's the way we'll look at it. We've been here before, we've done this before, and we'll have to do it again if we want to move on."

New York has Roger Clemens going against Cleveland's Jake Westbrook in Game 3 Sunday night. It's time for the bats to wake up as the Game 3 and Game 4 pitching matchups favor the Yanks, and that's even with the Yankees not knowing who's going to start Game 4 for them. New York's been down 0-2 in the ALDS before under Joe Torre (2001 against Oakland), and they were able to overcome the deficit. They've already overcome a lot this season, but now is the time to make it happen, in the House That Ruth Built, then hopefully back to Cleveland for Game 5 Wednesday night. 28 million dollars on a 45 year old, who holds the Bombers season in his hands...I think its time to give back, for one night Roger, be worth every penny of that 28 million.
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Quite Frankly: Don't Count Out the 2007 NY Yanks

The door has closed on the 2007 regular season, as a new door awaits to be opened...the 2007 MLB Playoffs. Not a lot of people thought that the Yankees would make it, but if you talked to anyone on the Yanks and anyone around them, they'd tell you to just "take it one day at a time." Sure enough, here we are..October baseball is set to be played once again, and the Yankees are the favorite to take it all.

The 2007 Yankees saw it all get ugly before it got better. Lowlights of the season:

-Yanks used 10 different starting pitchers used in the first 30 games.
-2 starts from Carl Pavano.
-Kei Igawa waste his 46 million in the minors.
-Swept by the Colorado Rockies (who saw them as a threat earlier in the year?)
-Injuries to Hideki Matsui, Johnny Damon, Chein Ming Wang, and Bobby Abreu within the first 2 months lead to inconsistent play, which in turn reflected in the Yankees play and their position in the standings.
-Mariano Rivera had only 11 saves at the All-Star break.
-Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte called out fellow teammates by saying certain players weren't trying.
-George Steinbrenner put GM Brian Cashman on a big hook in June.
-The YES Network was even reportly up for sale.
-Jason Giambi had to meet with Comissioner Bud Selig and Congress steroid investigator George Mitchell on "stuff" he did.
-Alex Rodriguez allegedly cheating on his wife in Toronto and getting front page exposure for it and back page fame for yelling "HA!" while running from 2nd to 3rd.
-On May 29th, stood 21-29 and 14.5 games out of first.

These were just some of the things the Yankee had to endure this season...but ultimately things turned around, and not EVERYTHING was bad. Here's some higlights:

-A-Rod hits a game winning walk-off grand slam against the Orioles in the bottom of the 9th to win a game and 11 days later hits another game winning walk-off homerun against the Indians. He hit a go ahead homerun back in June against the Red Sox' Jonathan Papelbon to give the Yanks another victory. In August he hit his 500th career homerun.
-In May Cashman made a call to Texas to try and talk Roger Clemens out of retirement...well it worked. A pro-rated 28 million dollar contract got Roger up and ready to go. He was suppose to be the savior but we all know now who the real savior of the team was.
-The Yankees went on a 9-game winning streak, their longest since May of 2005.
-Joba Chamberlain and his "Joba Rules" made it clear who Yankee fans took to being the savior of the 2007 season. That may be a bit of an overstatement of hey, he helped alot. He was, and continues to be dominant in his role out of the bullpen.
-A September series against the Red Sox at Fenway made for things in the AL East to get a little more interesting. The Yanks took 2 of 3..one game coming back from a 7-2 deficit in the 8th inning against Boston's best relivers and another win came from the bat of Captain Clutch himself Derek Jeter, hit a go ahead 3-run homerun against Curt Schilling to propel the Yanks to a series win.
-Contributions from youngsters Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Chamberlain, Shelley Duncan, Edwar Ramirez and Ian Kennedy brought new life to the team and infected it with energy and hunger.
-Posada had the best season of his career. posting an average of .338 with 20 homeruns and 90 RBI's.
-The bench was resolified during the second half leading to a stronger overall roster that manager Joe Torre could rely on.
-Pettitte recorded his 200th career win.
-Played at a winning percentage above .600 for the second half, which lead to their surge into the playoffs.

The surge in the second half went almost according to the formula I laid out during the All-Star break in my post "The Bronx is Burning... 2007?"

The Yanks came as close as 1.5 games behind the Red Sox, but didn't quite get over the hump. They ended up with winning the Wild Card, nothing to be ashamed of, especially after the first three months of the season. Cashman and the Yankees organization did something that is very difficult to do..they dveloped their future, and remoded their bench all while still competing for a playoff spot. No team was hotter in the second half than the Bronx Bombers. This was Torre's toughest season at the helm and if the team keeps playing the way they did in the second half, then he and Yankee fans everywhere will be rewarded with a 27th championship.

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." - Michael Jordan

The time is now. October baseball is upon us and it's time to end the championship drought. All the pieces seem to be in place. Only one thing missing...the championship trophy. Without that, this season and this article means nothing! Bring one home for New York and bring one back for the Scooter! "Holy Cow! The Yankees are World Series champs." New York awaits the final verdict on 2007.
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