THE 2012 AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTERN DIVISION CHAMPS

First of all, congratulations are in order for the New York Yankees as are now the American League Eastern Division Champions.  Wasn't it even more rewarding that they didn't have to depend on the Orioles to lose as the Yankees took on their own fate by humiliating the Red Sawx in a 14-2 bashing?  Now, they are on a quest to win their 41st American League Pennant and 28th World Series Title!


My expectations of the Yankees winning 95 games and the Red Sox being a weak team were right on the mark this year.  Regrettably, I predicted that to several friends on an email back in April, before my "The NYY Writer" blog was initiated to share my prediction with everyone.

Of course, I hope that the Yankees work their way to winning their 28th Championship; however, I have three major concerns:

First, as I have always felt, the best-of-5 format should not exist in baseball.  I believe that the following rounds which offer the best-of-7 format is much more definitive in baseball.  So, while the Yankees are playing within the first round, I will be nervous of them proving their full abilities in a short series.  Of course, I'm elated that they didn't lose the division and end up in a one-game playoff to determine the wildcard team!

My second concern evolves fully on their health.  While all teams have health issues, this year was totally ridiculous for the Yankees.  The best closer in the history of the game is still recovering from surgery and will still not be available to help the team besides being able to add more great stats to all the records he has already established in the playoffs since 1996.  Furthermore, players who have just returned from injuries include Teixeira, A-Rod, Pettitte, Gardner, and CC.  Are they healthy enough to produce at least 90% of their earlier abilities?  Now, I know Teixeira and A-Rod haven't proven much in the playoffs lately; but, I want them to be mostly healthy so that health is not a factor - whether they produce or don't produce.  The last health concern is based on their Captain, Derek Jeter.  Everyone knows his abilities in the playoffs are positively off the charts.  Hopefully, this 38-year-old phenom can be his abnormal self and produce his usual without hobbling on his injured foot.

My last concern is Joe Girardi.  He has shown us some strange decisions over the past few years in the playoffs.  I am hoping he manages the Yankees as if each game is do or die, instead of counting pitches!  I also hope he doesn't do his impersonation of La Russa by constantly changing pitchers from lefty to righty and vice-versa.  It's overrated!  Even La Russa wasn't doing it as often as he used to before he won in his final year last year.  If the pitcher (especially a reliever) is pitching well, leave him in there!!  Stop managing like a robot and manage by what you're seeing in front of you!!

There's one thing for sure - this Sunday will begin a very intense series!  Let's keep our fingers crossed that we win the series and move onto the next round.  We have a team that can certainly do it, especially if my last two concerns are negated by them staying healthy and Joe managing with his sight and not his detailed stats.