Thursday, November 5, 2009

Hate All You Want, but Yankees Are America's Franchise


After a gratifying night at the new and colossal Yankee Stadium, the futility for the long-suffering New York Yankees had finally come to an end, throwing away misfortunes that ultimately stained the essence of one famous ballclub.

The traditional pinstripes, instead of symbolizing a prominent team, epitomized baseball's dysfunction and laughingstock, a franchise failing to reach expectations and shunning financial blunders, which severely hurt the Yankees -- known for foolish spending as much as compiling titles.

And now, an incredible joyride in a town where a massive crowd is faithfully committed to pinstripes and humongous ribs at the newly venue, winning a world title is normally a priority on their agenda. The Yankees renewed normalcy and returned to prominence, which was a trait New York was missing for years as America dismissed the wealthiest franchise and had forgotten the capitalists of baseball.


On a spectacular night in the Bronx, it was a year for the Yankees to virtually celebrate as legitimate champs. But also, it satisfied long-awaited fans who endured agony and scarcity for nine consecutive years before the wildest celebration erupted on Wednesday night. The Yankees’ faithful uncontrollably poured onto the streets dancing and rooting for their home team, en route to a 7-3 victory to clinch their 27th title in 40 tries, the most in major league history among any franchise.

Hate all you want, but the Yankees are America’s team. Whether arrogance describes a selfish and greedy organization that squandered $1.5 billion in stadium creation, including a staggering $432.5 million during a revamping stage in an unhealthy recession, New York captured a title adding a banner to their uttermost collection because the dauntless Steinbrenner family wasn’t hesitant in spending billions on CC Sabathia, A.J Burnett, and Mark Teixeira: three profile superstars who quickly emerged and earned popularity.


So logically, Hank and Hal Steinbrenner felt spending was a solution for rejuvenating a contender, and was a clever conception given that the Yankees were built with tremendous talent. They had all the necessities to reestablish assurance and poise, overpowering antagonist on an incredible journey and brought back familiarity. The $210 million payroll was an advantage, which was useful in their rebuilding project and turned them into businesslike geniuses.

There’s not a franchise in this country that suffers from more scrutiny and criticism, especially residing in an environment where modern media constantly heckled and lambasted the Yankees in local tabloids. Early in the year alone, they’ve taken more criticism than any team in baseball, and never shied from inevitable queries. Beginning the season, fittingly it seemed the Yankees weren't aiming to seek a title, or anywhere near the grandest prize, as conversations were negligible with all the unnecessary tumultuous amid a steroid crisis.

Doomed with staggering adversity, mostly pertaining to Alex Rodriguez, who average baseball devotees trusted in, the Yankees were disrupted with all the uproars of A-Rod’s deceptive lies that revealed when his name appeared on a list of 104 players who contaminated the wonderful game. Needless to say, he avoided more Madonna hell, confessed and apologized for steroid revelations, and fittingly found a lovable relationship with starlet Kate Hudson.

After overcoming a distraught start to the season, he suddenly arrived and took on the nickname Mr. October by changing the complexion of the postseason, depositing homers and batting in runs, a problem he struggled with mightily in a pinstriped uniform. He quickly was a huge part to the most polarizing team’s emergence in the postseason, escaping burdens and dysfunction without having to mention the C-word.

It’s gratifying to see a team suffer with much chaotic letdowns, and keep a tough-minded, driven mindset to dethrone Philadelphia in Game Six, conquering respect as the world’s most lovable franchise. They prevented the Phillies from pulling off an historical sequence. If Game Seven was forced on Thursday night, they could’ve became the first team since the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970’s to win back-to-back titles.

But unfortunately, Cole Hamels, the Mr. October legend and World Series MVP a year ago, emotionally lost composure and turned into a distraction, rather than a heroic left-hander who threw exceptionally efficient, in which it was impossible to make contact against his dominance a year ago. It wasn’t much of a worry, when the series belonged to any team.

Before the non-waiver trade deadline, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, shockingly pulled off the marquee blockbuster deal acquiring an unhittable Cliff Lee, whose outstanding performance by throwing the outrageous breaking ball was indescribable and could have qualified for the World Series MVP award if the Phillies were victorious. Even Chase Utley, a cool California native who drenched his hair with too much gel, joined legend Reggie Jackson with five homers in a single World Series.

Of course, it wasn’t enough to beat the Yankees, the richest franchise in the world. A loss this year would’ve been considered a failure, as mostly every postseason or World Series loss is. And on this night, much praise goes to Hideki Matsui, the Japanese-born player who everyone knows as Godzilla, drove in six runs with a two-run homer to excite fans as the Yanks had inched steps closer to triumph.

As a result, Matsui became the first designated hitter to win the World Series MVP, a privilege when his other teammates could have been presented with a prize, normally given to a play whose eye-catching deeds were immensely momentous. Some will admit Sabathia was a deserving candidate for the series MVP, while others will say A-Rod deserved props.

Throughout the postseason, Sabathia was an essential piece to New York’s fundamentals on the mound, rectifying pitching deficits of previous seasons. The radar gun accurately read his speedy fastballs that most hitters faltered on, retired on strikes. Although, he struggled a bit, Burnett contributed and managed to avoid troubles with his indecisive command. And in the offseason, the world’s most powerful agent ensured Teixeira was offered an enormous deal. Sure enough, the Yankees offered enough pleasing the first baseman to sign an eight-year, $185 million deal. But even greater, he won his first ever title, partly for his walk-off homers and critical shots in desperation moments.

The intelligent offseason acquisitions incorporated a fundamentally sound and cohesive group, starved for a title and earned it with their hard-driven attitude. In addition, Joe Girardi is a classy and charismatic manager, mentoring and molding them to have a positive outlook. Remember, there were talks that his job was on the line, if he had failed to guide the Yankees to the national stage and win it all. This definitely relieves all burdens, even tension on general manager Brian Cashman.

But now, job security is the least worry as rejoicing and jubilation is well-deserved after vindicating they’re America’s champs. Certainly, a large payroll paid off as the Yankees rises back to the top, recognized as America’s premier franchise.

Don’t hate: It’s all about traditional pinstripes.

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