The Diamondbacks did it with pitching Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson leading the way there
The Diamondbacks did it with pitching, Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson leading the way there.After the 2001 season the Yankees lost four of the key members of the dynasty teams. Paul O’Neill, Scott Brosius, Tino Martinez, and Chuck Knoblauch all left following the 2001 season.The signing of Jason Giambi, who went on to hit 41 home runs, highlighted the 2002 season. However the team lost to the Angels in the ALDS, who eventually won the World Series.The 2003 team was the true sign of the Yankees beginning to slip. The Yankees battled their way to the World Series winning that famous Game 7 in Yankee Stadium.
Aaron Boone hit a home run to win the game and send the Yankees to the World Series.Just as it had seemed that the Yankees had won another World Series, the Marlins shocked them and took the series in six games. They did it with pitching, Josh Beckett leading the way.In 2004 the Yankees pitching caused the collapse that is known today as one of the biggest comebacks in sports history. The Yankees blew a 3-0 lead on the Boston Red Sox, who ultimately beat the Cardinals in the World Series, winning their first title in 86 years.Over the next couple of years the Yankees added old veterans expecting the same positive results. They added players like Gary Sheffield, Randy Johnson, Johnny Damon, Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, Andy Pettitte, and Bernie Williams. All of those players (except Pavano and Wright) were old.As the team struggled through the next couple of years, people blamed Joe Torre for an injured and poor starting rotation.Randy Johnson was traded back to the Diamondbacks in 2006. Pressure continued to battle Torre and the Yankee front office Torre was finally fired following the 2007 season.
He was replaced with Joe Girardi.The team began to get back to it’s old ways at the end of last year. The emergence of pitchers like Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy have brought the Yankees back to their old ways. Winning with pitching.As the team continues to struggle, fans continue to heckle the team to make moves and get better. The Yankees were also heavily criticized for not going harder after former Twins ace Johan Santana.Instead, the team decided to keep their young talent such as Melky Cabrera and Phil Hughes, players who were both wanted in order to complete the trade for Santana. Santana also demanded a new contract, and a big one at that.The Yankees were not willing to do that, especially after they had just given Alex Rodriguez $275 million dollars to keep him in pinstripes.Fans were also recently angry as it was said that Joba Chamberlain would come out of the bullpen and become a starter. Some fans (including myself) believe that it was a good move.What was the point of having Chamberlain pitching in the 7th inning when they didn’t have the starters to get the lead to that point in the games anyways?As fans continue to grow angry, I continue to believe that the Yankees are doing the right thing.
They are going back to doing what they did that made them a dynasty in the first place, pitching.So be patient Yankee fans, because it will all pan out in a couple of years.. Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend. The Roundtable needed to take Monday off after quite the rousing Memorial Day celebratory BBQ around the area. Hopefully, you didn’t miss us too much…just enough to come back and read a little more.
On to the notes…Clayton Kershaw showed tremendous potential in his first start. His fastball will hover between 90 and 95 and his curveball is knee-buckling. He struggled some initially, but settled down to go 6 strong innings. He looks to me to be in the rotation at least until they find out what will happen with Jason Schmidt (remember him?). That’s enough starts to make him very useful, especially for owners dealing with some DL problems or borderline starters.