Sunday, September 27, 2009

They did it. Division championship. Home field advantage. 100 wins. Once in a while I stop and wonder what it is about the Yankees that I love, that I find so exciting, that I am willing to spend sooo much money to see. This season it has definitely been about watching the team work, every one of them having moments of brilliance as well as moments of "Oh, please. What are you thinking?" Derek Jeter has exemplified what it all means, the good guy who plays smart baseball year after year, no big splash. He is so smart about the game. His personal life seems to be above reproach. I like to think of the Yankees for the most part as being professional. People love to hate George Steinbrenner and a lot of it is merited when it falls in the arena of how to treat a team, especially if it is not winning. But he always knew how to handle the business end of it. He continued to build a dynasty. He didn't tolerate sloppiness--even if it was about facial hair or long hair. He spent big money when it wasn't popular. But the bottom line is that if you want to bring in the fans, you give them something to see and that costs a lot of money any more.

I always hesitate to be critical of other teams as I know how quickly the whole thing can change. Slumps, injuries, etc. certainly can make or break a game, a season. Booing, being obnoxious,etc. will always kick you in the butt at some point.

All of that being said, "Go, Yankees!"