Yankees End of the Year Goodness

So on May 29, it was the end of the world. A-Rod was yelling “Ha!” while Torso was in Bryant Park, Roger was back but not in uniform, and the Red Sox were 14 1/2 games up. The Yankees had lost 13 of their last 18. But then the turning point came, the Yanks were about to lose two of three in Fenway, but A-Rod lifted an 0-2 pitch from Papelbon over the wall for the game-winning homer. While I’m not into games meaning more than they should (which is just one out of 162 contests), that game told the Yankees two things—1) Papelbon is not invincible and 2) “hey, we’re still a pretty good team.”

Did I ever think the Yankees may miss the playoffs? Certainly, and I didn’t think it was such a bad thing. I don’t think Brian Cashman would have either. It would have allowed him to continue the youth movement and dump some excess weight after the season (yes, maybe even A-Rod). Now he may be stuck with having to give him huge money after the season, along with many other prominent free agents (Posada and Mo to name a few).

Obviously you can’t be upset if your team makes the playoffs. I was thrilled when the Yankees started their comeback, and it’s simply amazing what they were able to accomplish—they were like the anit-Mets (sorry Met fans, I had to. Although not sure how many Met fans read a Yankees blog).

Anyway, it is funny that soon after that Red Sox series, the Yankees started interleague play. Check out how they feasted on the lesser competition in the first week and then how they were dominated in that inexplicable western swing. I guess it doesnt seem as bad to be swept by the Rockies considering how good they look now, but losing two of three to the Giants was just plain weird, especially because Igawa started in the only victory.

But the Yankees won three series going into the break and didn’t look back after, winning nine out of 11 sets until late August. The only two series losses were to the Orioles, who for some reason had the Yankees’ number this year until they were dead and buried at the end of the year. Can’t really tell much else from the grid, other than the Yanks liked playing crappy teams (Royals, Rangers), and the Angels and A’s (the team that wasn’t this year) kicked their fannies. No real surprises there.

Also, I don’t subscribe to the theory that a 6-0 record against the Indians means nothing. The Yanks have briused and battered Cleveland in the past couple of years (granted, they have stunk recently), and there is something to be said for not letting a team even take two out of three in a series once. It means that your pitchers dominated, and your hitters spanked them around. Sure it’s a small sample size, but isn’t a five-game playoff series too?

I’m not trying to be a homer here—and, to be honest, I think the Yanks are going to lose in the ALCS (to either team that advances), but the Indians and there weak lineup and bullpen (and B+ pitching staff) just don’t have what it takes to beat the Yankees. And that’s why I am picking them to win in three games. Yup, a sweep ladies and gentlemen. Call me crazy, but I think they’ll bust out the brooms. Muscles predicts Yanks in four.

Okay, before I let you go, just want to bring you some quirky stats from the end of the year (and maybe some that you already knew)… feel free to post some more yourselves…

1) Bobby Abreu had 101 RBIs for the fifth consecutive year and sixth time in his career. Yet he also struck out 115 times. Oddly enough for a guy lauded for his good eye, that total is a low number for his career.

2) Derek Jeter had a great batting average this year (.322), but he finished with his lowest number of home runs in a full season (more than 150 games) since 1997. Also, his 73 RBIs and 102 runs scored, stack up very unfavorably with his 97 and 118 last year. If Jimmy Rollins wins the MVP this year, Jeter 100 percent should have last year.

3) A-Rod had 3 walk-off homers.

4) A-Rod also had the best season in New York baseball history post 1965 (unofficial stat).

5) Matsui had his fourth 100-RBI season with the Yanks in five seasons with them. He would have last year as well, if not for the broken wrist. Hideki goes under the radar a lot, but what a pick-up he was. No, he’s not the 50 home run per year hitter everyone thought he’d be, but he’s better for this team. A perfect 5 or 6 hitter (Posada, who also had a career year, is generally the other), who although streaky at times, is a perfect gap hitter with some pop. Hard to believe that the last World Series the Yanks were in was his “rookie” season.

If you don’t think that’s a long time ago, check this site out. Raul Mondesi (who I caught a home run ball from that season) was the second highest paid player, some dude names Charles Gipson played 18 games, and the Yankees had the likes of Curtis Pride, Armando Benitez and Sterling Hitchcock on the roster. Also, does anyone know how Matsui played 163 games that season? Everywhere I look it says that, and I just don’t get it. I’ve looked over the schedule and don’t understand.

Anyway, enough nostalgia.

Couple more interesting stats (pitching-wise) and I’m out.

1) Roger Clemens had the fourth most innings pitched with 99.

2) Kei Igawa gave up 15 homers in 67 2/3 innings.

3) Nine rookies started games for the Yanks this season, including two with more than 10 starts (Hughes, 13, and Igawa, 12).

4) Carl Pavano started opening day. ‘Nuff said.

And with that I’ll bid you a farewell so I can go puke.

Muscles may be back with some final grades, but otherwise, enjoy some good playoff baseball tonight! We’ll be back periodically throughout the postseason as often as we were during the year. So keep us locked into your bookmarks. Keep reading and go Yanks!