The New York Yankees are once again the center of the baseball world this off-season.
Drama tends to shadow any sports teams that exist in New York, but the Yankees manage to draw the most.
Blame it on the team’s history of success or the owner’s outlandishly deep pockets. Whatever the reasoning, it becomes irrelevant.
Fact is that people love to hear about what the Yankees are up to, lovers and haters alike. With emotions running so high whether you are playing or watching sports, untrue and over-exaggerated stories start to sound factual.
Here are a few off-season fictions and facts that New Yorkers are immersed in:
- “And they just had him slip away in free agency despite outbidding the winning Phillies by about $50 million” – Joel Sherman, NY Post.
From my “non-sports fan” girlfriend, to my mom and even my doorman, all have stated that Cliff Lee taught the Yankees a lesson, as if the Universe should be very concerned for the future. Walking away from $30-50 million to NOT have to wear the pinstripes should speak volumes about the business approach the Yankees take.
Problem is this number was so overly exaggerated, as the Phillies will be paying Lee $18 million in 2011, $25 million for the next four and, if goals are fulfilled, Lee will pocket $27.5 million in 2016.
The Yankee offer was $138 for seven years. You do the math, because I can’t seem to find where the $30+ million dollars are hiding out?
THE FACT is Lee wanted to be a Philly, loves to hit and enjoys playing in the NL. The money had no weight because the offers were all in the same league. So, Yankee fans can stop worrying, but it is time for Philly fans to welcome their team into the “Evil Empire.”
- “Brian Cashman may believe he has a championship-caliber team, but the oddsmakers no longer view the Yankees as World Series favorites.” – Mark Feinsand, New York Daily News
Not getting Lee has somehow made the 2011 Yankees into non-contenders. Words like “desperate”, “trouble” and “finished” have been the theme, along with the Red Sox making the World Series without question.
This theory is ludicrous, as the Yankees are still a competitive team.
Taking no credit away from Boston’s GM Theo Epstein, who did his job superbly this off-season by acquiring Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Boston also lost Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez, who were the glue that held Boston together in 2010 when more starters were on the DL than on Coach Terry Francona’s roaster.
Yes, the Red Sox improved by getting faster on the bases, an area which was never strong to begin with, so it will make some difference.
This is a free country, and everyone is entitled to an opinion, but predicating unreasonably only makes the source lose complete creditability. For anyone to say the Yankees team is screwed next season is so off base it’s preposterous.
- “While the New York Yankees’ 2010 season came to a disappointing close, it would still appear inevitable that the team will want to re-sign Derek Jeter, its franchise shortstop. But it appears just as inevitable that his on-field performance isn’t worth nearly as much as he will likely want to be paid.” – Tephen J. Dubner, New York Times.
The performance of Yankees shortstop, and Captain, Derek Jeter has always had its critics, but he continually proved them wrong up until 2010 when Jeter’s slump seemed to be never-ending and the media said he was finished.
Yes, Jeter is 36 and age does eventually catch up to everyone, but to say he will never see productive days again is just stupid.
One out of seventeen seasons is pretty good and surely gives creditability in Jeter’s favor that it was a fluke. To pounce on Jeter like wolves and state that a retirement home seems a better fit than Yankee Stadium is just pure jealousy rearing its ugly head.
Players like Jeter should be praised no matter what because the sports world is now filled with celebrities who take their talents for granted.
Athlete’s respect for the game, whether it is football, baseball or basketball is becoming extinct. It’s all about “getting mine”, and “what did I accomplish”.
Kids everywhere idolize athletes and to be so quick to dismiss a man like Jeter is embarrassing. I can promise you that Derek Jeter will have a great year next season, if only just to prove everyone wrong is good enough for me. Still, Jeter did win the Gold Glove again so that ship has not nearly sunk at all and who’s to say attitude is not valued even more than talent.
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