By James Riswick
News Editor
So George Steinbrenner’s Yankees got thumped by a cheap batch of fish. How incredibly gratifying that is for all of us “small market” fans forever irritated by the nonchalance Steinbrenner and the Yankees display as they go about winning.
When the A’s, Twins, Red Sox and Cubs lost this year, the players and their fans shared a feeling of sadness and disappointment as most teams do in such a situation. Winning was not expected; for them it was a crap shoot.
But when New York lost, their players were described as being in a “state of disbelief.” They were supposed to win, at least they thought they were, as if playing the regular season, playoffs and World Series were a mere formality in receiving another ring. Note I didn’t use “earning” a ring.
I suppose I don’t understand how winning with this expectation can be at all gratifying for players or fans. I guarantee you the thrill the Yankees and their fans would have had is nowhere near the level of celebration that would go on in non-expectation cities.
It’s kind of like getting a brand new BMW for your birthday. It’s darned exciting, but after three or four consecutive birthdays BMWs, you’d expect one and when your newest 5-series arrives it’s really no big deal. Meanwhile, your neighbor who has trouble pronouncing his R’s and likes clam chowder would kill for such a gift after driving a Pinto for 82 years.
But, that’s just the way the Yankees are and without a salary cap or more effective luxury tax, this is how it shall remain. So the reality for the Yankees in their 162-game formality session in 2004 is that they are faced with a number of free agents and an aging team that obviously hasn’t been able to get the job done. Plus, with Boston only getting better and my Toronto Blue Jays being one or two pitchers away from contention, the Yanks will be hard pressed to even finish in first place next year.
Let’s not kid ourselves, though, George will find a way to do something. Although I might regret this a year from now, here are some suggestions for George and General Manager Brian “Yes Mr. Steinbrenner” Cashman.
• Up the payroll to $200 million. This $180 million business is just not getting the job done. Although other teams like the Marlins can get the job done for around $50 million, the Yankees must only sign players whose names Steinbrenner and Cashman know. No scouting, just simple name recognition.
• Sign outfielder Vladimir Guerrero to fill their “hole” in the outfield. Throw $15 million per year at him and drive another nail into the Expos’ coffin. Heck, the Yankees farm system is pretty weak, they really should just trade the Triple-A Columbus Clippers for Montreal/Puerto Rico’s entire roster. Now that’s an idea.
• With Roger Clemens retiring, David Wells most likely not re-signing, Andy Pettitte being a free agent, Jose Contreras incredibly inconsistant and Jeff Weaver perpetually looking like a hostage on the mound, a good starting rotation is anything but assured.
• So, re-sign Pettitte for way too much money, as well as Bartolo Colon, Sydney Ponson, Greg Maddox and Sterling Hitchcock for old times sake. That would give them a fairly solid seven-man rotation. Mind you, their bullpen would still be a hope and prayer until Mariano Rivera. So they should just get Ugueth Urbina and Trevor Hoffman, because you can never have too many closers.
• And while they’re at it, using DNA from Ted Williams’ frozen head, clone the Red Sox hitting great, pay him lots of money and instantly improve the starting line-up. Plus, it will drive Boston nuts.
• And speaking of Boston being nuts, they fired Manager Grady Little on Monday for not pulling Pedro Martinez earlier in Game 7 of the American Leage Championship Series. Sure, he was the first manager who could pull this group together, but like Briney Spears’ singing, that doesn’t matter.
Former Phillies and Jays manager Jim Fregosi has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Little. Well that would be a horrendous idea, but go right ahead Boston. I’ll be laughing all the way to the SkyDome as the Jays finish first next year as both the Sox and Yankees look on in disbelief.
October 30, 2003