THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR...AGAIN

The New York Yankees (NYY) were officially eliminated after today’s loss from reaching the playoffs for the second straight year (which hasn’t happened since 1992-1993).  Even though they had misfortunate key injuries earlier in the year affecting 4 of their 5 starting pitchers, they still managed to piece together some decent replacements.  Additionally, their bullpen performed very well, especially Dellin Betances and David Robertson.  Therefore, it is clear that the pitching was not the main cause of this year’s disappointing results.  Instead, it has unmistakably been their lack of hitting (as emphasized in my last blogged article) that mainly caused this year’s team failures.  Collectively, the NYY were in the bottom third of all major league teams in runs scored.  For the salaries the Steinbrenners pay them, that’s a colossal disgrace!

As a fan, I was gravely disappointed, especially since there were so many games that they lost because they scored under 3 runs.  Those failed efforts made it more frustrating for NYY fans.  A run here, a run there could have made an enormous difference.  Many of the American League teams in front of them also failed to play well, but those teams won at least a few games more to have edged their way into the playoffs - something the Yankees should have done.  They had plenty of chances, but left way too many runners in scoring position.  Furthermore, several of their offensive players hit below their career averages, failing to even hit above .240!!!  Now, I know other MLB teams’ offense also had diminished offense, but during today’s now-realistic frustrations, who cares about other teams?

I, like all NYY fans, am also disappointed that the Yankees failed in helping to bring Derek Jeter to the playoffs in his final year.  I love Derek, but even he would agree with me that his final year is not the focal point of that failure; the focal point is to win for all Yankees’ fans.  In other words, “They should have won for Derek Jeter.” should instead be (in my words), “They should have won for us, the fans!”  After all, we are the spoiled Yankees’ fans.  We expect to win a World Series every year; and, if we don’t, we expect to at least make it to the playoffs with some kind of hope and true entertainment throughout the month of October.  Now, instead, we will separate into two groups - the ones who love baseball enough to watch the other teams over the next month, or the ones that are too frustrated to care.

So, NYY fans, we have yet another year of playoff despair, but at least we always know that the term, “There’s always next year.” stands true when you’re a Yankees’ fan - even with A-Rod possibly playing third base or DH!!!  Oops, sorry, I shouldn’t have mentioned that - now, more misery has just entered our minds!