Shark58
10-04-2009, 05:21 PM
Congratulations to the NY Yankees on an excellent, thrilling and often dominant regular season in their new home. For a team that was predicted by some to finish as low as third in the division (and who was sub-.500 after the first month) 103 wins, the best record in all of baseball and a final lead of 8 games in the AL East is impressive.
Even more impressive is that it was done while missing a lot of its intended roster for large portions of the season. As designed in the off-season, the Yanks played large portions of the year without their right fielder, center fielder, third baseman, both catchers, primary utility infielder, both primary set-up men and one of their top 3 starting pitchers. They also jettisoned one of their other primary relievers (Veres) early in the season. Filling in for the injured was a mix of young kids from what was supposed to be a weak farm system. Players like Cervelli, Pena, Hughes, Robertson and Coke not only helped fill the holes, but really added to the success of this club.
Smart in-season additions like Hinske and Harriston helped round out a top-to-bottom excellent and versatile roster. All 5 of Cashman’s major off-season moves paid huge dividends. CC, AJ, Teix and bringing back Andy all played major roles. Contrary to all the predictions about the potential injuries (especially to the pitchers), all stayed healthy throughout the season.
Congrats to the players that accomplished personal records or feats. Among them: Jeter becoming the all-time NYY hit leader, Mo’s 500th save, AJ’s 100 win, Jeter & Cano becoming the first double play combo in history to have 200 hits each, Teix on his winning the AL RBI lead and share of the AL HR crown (only because Pena got hurt), Damon tying his career high for HRs, CC tying his personal best and this year’s MLB leading 19 wins and ARod for setting records such as the most seasons with 30 HRs and 100 RBIs as well as his 7RBI in one inning AL record set today.
As an organization, the Yanks set a team record for most HRs in a season, tied the record for most wins in a new stadium and set a MLB record for most consecutive errorless games. They also had over 50 come from behind wins including 15 walk-off victories. The team also led MLB in HR (for the first time since 1961), RBI, Runs Scored, On Base Percentage, OPS, and Slugging Percentage. The pitching staff came in the top 5 in MLB (and led the AL) for strike outs and batting avg against (2nd in the AL to Seattle). The club was also top 10 in MLB for fielding percentage and fewest errors committed. The minor leagues were also impressive with excellent team seasons turned in at all levels.
Anything can happen in the playoffs, but this team looks as ready as they come. Bring on the Central champ, whoever that may be……
Even more impressive is that it was done while missing a lot of its intended roster for large portions of the season. As designed in the off-season, the Yanks played large portions of the year without their right fielder, center fielder, third baseman, both catchers, primary utility infielder, both primary set-up men and one of their top 3 starting pitchers. They also jettisoned one of their other primary relievers (Veres) early in the season. Filling in for the injured was a mix of young kids from what was supposed to be a weak farm system. Players like Cervelli, Pena, Hughes, Robertson and Coke not only helped fill the holes, but really added to the success of this club.
Smart in-season additions like Hinske and Harriston helped round out a top-to-bottom excellent and versatile roster. All 5 of Cashman’s major off-season moves paid huge dividends. CC, AJ, Teix and bringing back Andy all played major roles. Contrary to all the predictions about the potential injuries (especially to the pitchers), all stayed healthy throughout the season.
Congrats to the players that accomplished personal records or feats. Among them: Jeter becoming the all-time NYY hit leader, Mo’s 500th save, AJ’s 100 win, Jeter & Cano becoming the first double play combo in history to have 200 hits each, Teix on his winning the AL RBI lead and share of the AL HR crown (only because Pena got hurt), Damon tying his career high for HRs, CC tying his personal best and this year’s MLB leading 19 wins and ARod for setting records such as the most seasons with 30 HRs and 100 RBIs as well as his 7RBI in one inning AL record set today.
As an organization, the Yanks set a team record for most HRs in a season, tied the record for most wins in a new stadium and set a MLB record for most consecutive errorless games. They also had over 50 come from behind wins including 15 walk-off victories. The team also led MLB in HR (for the first time since 1961), RBI, Runs Scored, On Base Percentage, OPS, and Slugging Percentage. The pitching staff came in the top 5 in MLB (and led the AL) for strike outs and batting avg against (2nd in the AL to Seattle). The club was also top 10 in MLB for fielding percentage and fewest errors committed. The minor leagues were also impressive with excellent team seasons turned in at all levels.
Anything can happen in the playoffs, but this team looks as ready as they come. Bring on the Central champ, whoever that may be……