Published 23:32, September the 28th, 2009
NO DRAMA HERE, CROWN THE YANKEES
The Yankees are overwhelming World Series favorites everywhere but New York. Only in this area, do people fret over the supposed questions in the pitching staff and continually obsess over Alex Rodriguez in October. Everywhere else, the truth is clear: This is a dominant team that could and should roll through the postseason as easily as the ’98 Yankees. And if they put up a similar 11-2 record no one would think they overachieved.
Las Vegas puts Joe Girardi’s team as 7-4 favorites to win it all. There has not been a bigger favorite in team sports since those 16-0 Patriots entered the ’07-’08 playoffs. Yet, many commentators and Yankee fans — often one in the same around these parts — are trying to downplay the expectations. There’s a push to cast this $202-million-payroll, home-run-mashing, strikeout-pitching monster into an uncertain team that’s just striving to get back to the top.
WFAN pinstriped sultan Mike Francesa leads the charge to make these Yankees seem shaky, to lessen any potential disappointment even before playoff’s first pitch.
You can’t shield sheer power, can’t hide total dominance though. These Yankees are 87-41 since A-Rod returned from his hip surgery — a .670 winning percentage. They’ve swept the Red Sox any time they’ve wanted to in the second half. They just beat the Angels in Anaheim.
If the Yankees don’t win the World Series, they won’t be as big a disappointment as those 16-0 Pats. But make no mistake, they’d be in the same ballpark. Pretending otherwise is silly and sad.
It’s time for Yankee fans and the media to recognize the power of this team. In many ways, the 2009 Yankees could put on a more breathtaking playoff show than the squads of Bernie, Brosius and O’Neill. There are more stars in their prime on this team.
A championship wouldn’t be some sweet pie-in-the-face storybook ending. It’s all but required when you’re this good.
Sounding off: Phil on pause
Collecting his first win since both his wife and mother were diagnosed with breast cancer, in stirring final-round comeback fashion no less, makes for a feel-good Phil Mickelson story. But that’s all it is. One nice moment in time.
Golf commentators eagerly declaring the Tour Championship triumph sets Phil up for 2010 are more than reaching. It’s a long, long way from the Masters. Mickelson will still be 38 and running out of chances when he tees it up at Augusta. And, of course, there’s Tiger.
– Chris Baldwin covers the sports media for Metro
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