Write On Sports LLC - "2007 Yankees Preview; Southpaw Switch" by Mike Trapani

2007 Yankees Preview; Southpaw Switch

2007-01-08 17:30:20 | By: Mike Trapani

Big Unit out, Pettitte back in, as Yankees look for return to glory.

Rivera deals. Piazza swings and drives a deep fly ball to center. Williams back. He settles under it. And the New York Yankees are the 2000 World Series Champions!!

It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since Yankee fans have been able to celebrate a World Series triumph. The Yankees have ended each of the past six seasons with a heartbreaking loss. They are one of only three teams, the Reds and Dodgers being the others, to have lost each final game of the season over the past six years.

Although 2000 was the last time the Yankees won the World Series, it wasn’t until after the 2001 season that things became unraveled. The Yankees of the late 90's prided themselves on pitching and team baseball. For whatever reason, after winning four World Series titles in six years, George Steinbrenner completely abandoned what Yankee baseball was all about. As World Series heroes such as Paul O’Neill and Tino Martinez waved goodbye, George opened the wallet and welcomed in the best talent baseball had to offer. Mussina, Giambi, Sheffield, Matsui, Pavano, A-Rod, The Big Unit, Damon...By 2006, it was almost comical. On any given day, last season’s Yankees had the talent to beat any other nine guys the rest of the league had to offer. But then it happened. The Detroit Tigers limped into the playoffs fresh off a sweep at the hands of the lowly Royals. To say the Yankees were heavy favorites would be a gross understatement. But we all know how the story goes. The Yankees, and their absurdly star-studded lineup, got absolutely embarrassed and Yankee fans were again left to wonder why.

After six years of heartache and disappointment, George and the rest of the Yankee brass may have finally figured it out. They are getting back to their 90’s roots and nothing says 90’s Yankees more than Andy Pettitte. The lefty’s return to the Bronx helps the Yankees on many levels. When Pettitte left for Houston, the Yankees were left with a huge piece missing from their championship puzzle that they haven’t been able to fill. No one has to worry about whether or not Pettitte can deal with the pressures of pitching in New York or if he’ll be a media a nightmare. He’s a consummate professional that can be counted on (if healthy) every five days. Pettitte will also help to restore the faith in a fan base that is becoming ever more frustrated with the direction the Yankees have gone.

Bringing back Pettitte is only part of the Yankees thus-far successful off-season. Shipping the headache that is Randy Johnson back to Arizona is just as important as the Pettitte signing. We knew from the moment that he had that confrontation with the cameraman that Randy wouldn’t fit in New York. At age 42 and coming off back surgery, it’s doubtful that the Big Unit will ever come close to being the pitcher he was even three years ago.

This year’s Yankees are starting to resemble their 90’s predecessors a little more than in years past. The ever patient Bobby Abreu fits perfectly into the old Yankee style of hitting and a healthy Matsui, a consistent Johnny Damon, and the rock that is Derek Jeter gives the Yankees more versatility in their lineup than they’ve had in years. It’s good to see that George and GM Brian Cashman decided to actually keep some of their young talent, such as Robinson Cano, Andy Phillips, Phillip Hughes, and Melky Cabrera (although he may be gone by season’s start). The Yankees of the 90’s were built around their young talent that has since become the face of the team. It’s not a reach to think that these four, along with young ace Chien-Ming Wang, can be the face of the new Yankees.

Wang, along with Pettitte and Mike Mussina give the Yankees a strong top three in their rotation. After the top three, it gets a bit shaky, but if Roger Clemens decides to give it another go with the Yankees, that problem would be solved. Mariano is a year older, but is showing hardly any signs of breaking down and remains the most reliable closer in all of baseball.

Yankee fans can go forward into 2007 feeling better about their team than they have in a long time. Yes, there are still a few issues…the A-Rod saga, is Giambi going to play first or be a full time DH, among others. These problems, coupled with the retooling of the Red Sox and the continuing growth of the Blue Jays could make the season a wild ride for Yankee fans.

At least there’s a familiar face back to help steer the ship.

Comments

Andrew Berg commented,
The Devil Rays have a better last-game-of-season record than the Yankees this millenium! Excuse Tampa fans if they're not quite consoled.
January 9, 2007 9:19 p.m.

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