Historically, the Yankees win
AL pennants and World Titles in bunches, sometimes the reigns are sprinkled with World Series loses. From 1921-1943, New York appeared in 14 Fall Classics, winning ten times. The next “Reign of Terror” was from 1947-1964, when the franchise again won ten titles; this time in 16 appearances.After this second great run, the franchise and fans suffered through the “Horace Clarke Era” (1965-1974), when the team didn’t so much as sniff the playoffs. While they often dominate an entire era, the Yankees also offer their detractors a little solace from time to time.
After George Steinbrenner purchased the franchise from CBS, it went on a much shorter run (1976-1981), with only four appearances and two trophies (’77, ‘78). Much to everyone else’s delight, the Yankees languished from 1982-1995.
In 1996, however, they began the “Millennium Run”, which ended with a loss to Arizona in the 2001 World Series. They did manage four titles (three consecutively) during this time frame. While the “Horace Clarke ERA” and subsequent failure from 1982-95 may have angered Yankee fans, the drought of 2002-08 may have been the most disastrous. With a lone World Series appearance and loss (‘03), the coronation of arch-rival Boston (‘04, ‘07) and emergence of Tampa Bay in 2008 were too much to bear.
It could thus be argued that with their 27th World Championship in 2009, they are embarking on another reign of terror. While the landscape of the game is fluid, and division foes are seemingly more capable adversaries, the Yankees appear to be trending in the right direction.
It is fair to compare the Millennium Team with the current group for a few reasons. Aside from having the same core of players in Jeter, Pettitte, Posada and Rivera, they have built their team for the long haul.
While you could add Bernie Williams, David Cone and Paul O’Neill to the above cast of characters, you can’t forget that management made some rather shrewd deals acquiring players like Tino Martinez and Chuck Knoblauch.
The Yankees have been often accused of irresponsible overspending and examples are plentiful. They also have a very bountiful farm system of which they continue to reap the benefits today.
Everyone tends to focus their attention on that core group of players, but one easily overlooks the fluid nature of those squads. More often than not, pieces fit even if for only a year or so. In scanning those rosters, it’s amazing to see exactly who played for the Yankees, sort of a who’s who list.
Brian Cashman and his staff have not been hesitant to make bold trades, or release popular, successful players. Jimmy Key went 42-28 for the Yankees, but was allowed to leave for Baltimore. After posting an 18-15 record in two seasons, Kenny Rogers was dealt to the A’s for Scott Brosius, who was coming off a down year (.203 avg., 11-41). After posting a 34-14 record in New York, who would have ever thought David Wells would be traded? After the 1998 season he was sent packing to Toronto for Roger Clemens.
While everyone focuses their attention on the gazillions of dollars spent on CC Sabathia, A.J Burnett and Mark Texiera in the ‘08 offseason, you should consider the “cost-saving” decisions as well. Bobby Abreu was not re-signed despite 100-plus RBI seasons and Jason Giambi’s $22 million option was not exercised. They also traded Jeff Marquez and Wilson Betemit to the White Sox for Nick Swisher, who was coming off a season where he only hit .229.
This past offseason, the Yankees also seem to be operating in a “fiscally responsible” manner. They bid farewell to two key players of 2009 in Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui (WS MVP), despite both having productive seasons. They also made some big trades, acquiring Javier Vazquez, Boone Logan and Curtis Granderson. Their major free agent signings consist of Randy Winn and Nick Johnson, and they are hoping Rule Five draftee Jamie Hoffmann and Brett Gardner will fill outfield voids.
Of course they traded away some young assets like Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson, and are relying heavily on the development of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Alfredo Aceves, Jonathan Albaladejo, Jesus Montero, Austin Romine, Brandon Laird and others. Time will tell if any of these players fulfill their promise in Yankee pinstripes, or with some other franchise after a trade.
The likelihood of a decade-long run doesn’t seem as likely as it did in previous eras, but don’t discount New York’s chances of some shorter runs. Either way, the Yankees will continue to engage baseball fandom.
