Bronx, N.Y., Nov. 23, 2001 — I fully realize that the title is part of a cliche (think “…and some are rained out.”), but the musings may not be as predictable as the title would indicate. It’s the day after Thanksgiving, 19 days since the events of November 4, and I’ve interacted with many people since then. They run the gamut from people who watched the Emmy’s November 4 all the way to fellow fanatics whose hearts stopped briefly that evening as Luis Gonzalez’s bloop floated over Derek’s head.
The vote is in…and it’s unanimous — the New York Yankees, and their fans, did not lose the World Series. Sure, the Arizona Diamondbacks won it. I’ve had the TV connections, the cable company’s equipment and my own sense of reality checked, and although tests on the final aspect were inconclusive, I can attest that the events of November 4 as I witnessed them did indeed take place. But the Series was terrific, and it was the miraculous and game Yankees that made it that way. No, this team was nothing but winners, and they went out winning.
The “Losing” I’m talking about is the kind that befalls teams all year-round, and doesn’t end in October, or even November. Baseball executives have an incredibly long list of decisions to make, and they have to make them every single day of the year. If anything the decisions become more critical after the World Series, and, looking at the recent record, that’s not an entirely fortuitous thing for the Yankees.
Yankee fans hear the little digs all the time, how they win because they “buy” championships, and although the list of teams that have failed to win by spending grows year after year, the more telling argument is that the Yankees’ ownership is currently the same as that which had to OK every trade and purchase from 1982 through 1994. Global economy or not, money thrown at problems should be as effective in 1989 as it is in 1999. Any look at the record proves that salary level aside, if canny and wily decisions are not made by those in charge, you’re not going to win.
Which brings me to my point, and no, I’m sorry, but today it’s not as positive as I like to keep it — it’s not that all is for the best in this, the best of all possible worlds. The losses that concern me did not happen on November 3 and November 4, but rather on February 15, and June 23 and July 7. I remain concerned about things that happened on March 21 and July 11 and July 30.
Take June 23, for example, or how about July 11? The earlier date saw D’Angelo Jimenez sent west to San Diego for the reliever Jay Witasik; Brian Boehringer landed up Rt. 1 in San Fran 18 days later. (Who didn’t wonder about our pen as Jay interrupted eight consecutive base hits surrendered by mixing in K’s of Womack and Sanders?) July 7? Super prospect Ricardo Aramboles (added to the Reds’ 40-man roster seven days ago) goes to Cinncy for fireballing bust Mark Wohlers. February 15? Henry Rodriguez is signed.
Lots and lots of moves are made. Most of them have no discernible effect. Some are great signings that everyone knows are great signings, as with Mike Mussina. Some are great signings that just don’t work out. And some are crucial moves that have effects that reverberate through teams for years (if not decades — just ask Harry Frazee and Babe Ruth).
We have a team in transition. People are going. People are coming. March 21? 19-year-old (and also on the Reds roster) Wily Mo Pena was traded for Drew Henson (a paper move really, as he wouldn’t have played baseball for them) and Michael Coleman (who re-signed with the Red Sox the other day). That’s Wily Mo for nothing if you’re keeping score at home. And I am eagerly waiting to welcome all my new players. It’s November and we’re all tied for first. We have a great starting staff, and an offense and defense up the middle that is the envy of all of baseball.
I’ll be watching real close as the new Yankees are assembled. The front office guys and the braintrust do a great job, and we have the rings to prove it. I am 100% behind them in the decisions they make, and the signings that ensue from them. If I can root for Tino and Scott to have two-out magic on back-to-back days, and for Jay after base hit No. eight, I can root for Brian and Mark and Gene and the crew to have stayed in a Holiday Inn Select, or whatever it takes. C’mon guys! Barry? Jason? Tino? Roger Cedeno, Jason Isringhausen? Juangone? Do it up, and do it right! Outthink one for the Gipper! (But I’ll also be watching the futures of an infielder in San Diego and a pitcher and outfielder in Cincinnati, and hoping they don’t do too much in the coming years.)
The Losing is over!
YANKEE BASEBALL!!!