“We’re Yankees fans. New York is supposed to be in the world series,” their eyes half-close as Yankees fans say these things, in smug self-satisfaction. This winter I had several Yankee fans explain their version of baseball reality to me this way.
“The Boss,” (meaning George Steinbrenner) “expects to win. Other teams can be content to make the playoffs,” they explain. “But in New York, we expect to win the world series. It’s the greatest city on earth, and we expect the best.”
My, how the expectations must be changing. Tied for last place with the Devil Rays at 21-28 and 13.5 games back from a very good Red Sox team, it looks like Yankee fans will have to re-adjust this summer’s expectations. And October could soon be a lot less busy for them.
Of the thirty major league baseball teams, the Yankees’ staff ERA of 4.68 ranks 26th. Mussina’s ERA of 5.86 in particular has to have New York fans hollering at their TV screens as opposing players circle the bases.
Roger Clemens will come back, and if he can anchor the rotation and some of their pitchers settle down, this team could make a run behind the triumverate of Wang, Clemens, and a resurgent Mussina.
But right now, the names Darrell Rasner and Matt DeSalvo, their fourth and fifth starters, aren’t scaring many people.
All of which not only opens up the pennant race for new blood, it also means it might soon be a rare rebuilding year in da Bronx and Manhattan.
Who knows, maybe New York, after raiding so many good players from other teams, will soon be in the unfamiliar position of unloading veteran players to contenders in other cities. Not too likely — but more likely so far this year than in any year since Berners-Lee invented the internet.
It’s shaping up to be an interesting year in major league baseball.
Sorry 😦
Nice…
Interesting…
Nice!