Almost always, I like to defend myself against the continual
stereotypes of being a "coastie" — probably one of the biggest insults someone
could throw my way.
I am far from the type who wears spandex pants tucked into
UGG boots with sunglasses covering my entire face while I carry a venti latte
to class.
However, as a "coastie" solely in terms of my geographical
origin in New Jersey, it is only natural that my allegiance goes to the New
York Yankees.
Although I can accept criticism for supporting the team that
has a monopoly on baseball and an endless pit of money to pay their players
anything, I would argue my fanaticism with this team resides much deeper then
Derek Jeter annually being placed on the cover of GQ magazine.
I am confident enough to challenge anyone to name the
Yankees’ lineup — including pinch hitters, relief players and minor league
prospects — but struggle to list the latest brands and hit fashion trend of the
season.
I am yearly subscriber to MLB.com — to watch the games in
Wisconsin — and continue to read Yankees Magazine and Sports Illustrated before
U.S. Weekly or Cosmopolitan.
Therefore, while I might be thrown the "coastie card" or the
"female card" for arguing about sports, I offer you my off-season state of the
Yankees, an organization in the process of major managerial restructuring.
When the Yankees won four championships in five years, much
credit was rightfully given to manager Joe Torre.
But after a 12-year stint with New York resulting in
numerous playoff appearances, Torre rejected "boss" George Steinbrenner’s offer
of a one-year contract worth $5 million plus an additional $3 million in
performance bonuses deemed by the management as respectable after a loss in the
American League Division Series.
Who could blame Torre for walking? After much success, "an
insult" as Torre put it is an accurate way to describe how the organization,
specifically Steinbrenner, treated him with their contract offer.
First, not only did Torre work his magic in his 11 previous
seasons, but in the 2007 season alone, Torre rallied the team back from a
season-low eight games under .500 on May 29 to clinch the Wild Card when many
believed the Yankees were out.
Second, no one ever said Torre threw the pitches or hit home
runs. So why did the burden fall on the only individual who never played?
Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui combined to hit
under .200 during the ALDS, while Alex Rodriguez produced mediocre numbers as
well, hitting a mere .267.
It was clear in the eyes of the Yankees management that
Torre's previous successes no longer held the weight they once did to this
organization.
As a result, unlike the Yankees' record-breaking contracts
for an all-star caliber lineup, the Steinbrenners were looking for a despicable
bargain for a future Hall of Fame manager, and Torre, the only individual with
any class, walked away on top.
Joe Girardi, the successor to Torre, will now attempt to
fill the big shoes of his former manager and mentor while writing his own
chapter in one of the most legendary sports organizations.
As one of three candidates interviewed for the job, Girardi
was a surprise pick over "Mr. Yankee" Don Mattingly, who many believed would
have been next.
Yet while ESPN.com reported Torre would have advised Girardi
not to take the position, Girardi happily stands center stage for one of the
most demanding jobs in all of sports. In my mind, his background as a catcher
in New York and his experience with the Florida Marlins winning Manager of the
Year in 2006 makes him more than qualified to continue to carry out the
tradition of excellence.
With the dawn of a new era, many, including me, would like
to see Girardi lead the Yankees back to the 1998 style of clutch hitting,
pitching, bunting, stealing and defense as a mechanism to win games.
The Yankees’ focus should now shift to developing the
freshman class. Joba Chamberlan, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy will need to post
Ks against rivals like Boston and maintain strong ERAs if the organization
wants to continue to return to the fall classic.
Veterans like Jeter, Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte
will be the wise men who are the only individuals to have four World Series
rings with the Yankees. Rodriguez appears to be coming back, but I, like others
who are true traditionalists, have a feeling of indifference. Though he is an
All-Star and will likely break the current home run record, Rodriguez will
never hold the same charisma and passion for New York as career Yankees.
The future remains to be seen. I am optimistic the Girardi
era can be as successful as his predecessor Torre, while others — Red Sox, Cubs
and Brewers Fans — would like to finally see the end of the Yankee
dynasty.
Yes, I cheer for the Yankees — the epitome to some as the
dark side, but a coastie loyalty I plan on always keeping.
Cassie Kornblau ([email protected]) is a junior majoring in international studies and Spanish.
