Once the Sox were eliminated from the pennant race there was only one thing that could make a Sox fan rest comfortably over the winter. Of course that something was to see the Evil Empire New York Yankees get knocked out. That dream came true yesterday when the $200 plus million dollar "best team ever" payroll finished an October humiliation with three straight losses to the Detroit Tigers.
Turncoat Johnny Damon was heard to say "we're still the best team, sometimes the best team doesn't win". Well for the sixth straight year the "best team" has gone down in flames and George Steinbrenner is left empty handed.
Joe Torre and Brian Cashman are a good manager and general manager respectively but let's hold on a minute before we enshrine them in Hall of Fame. For a team that can boast an all star at every position they have simply under achieved since their last World Series championship six years ago. Who knows what's in King George's mind but it could result in one or both of them being unemployed.
It is kind of ironic that Brian's last name is CASH MAN since that has been what he has thrown around for all these years. One thing that is apparent is that in order for the Yankees to actually return to greatness he will be forced to throw around even more cash.
The Yanks are getting old in the all important pitching department and some of their hitters have not achieved higher levels in the post steroid era. Add to that the inexplicable failure of Alex Rodriguez to hit in the post season and you have a winter of severe discontent for Yankee fans.
The Rodriguez meltdown led Dan Shaughnessey to dub him the "cooler". Speculation began immediately over ARod remaining in New York. He has an iron clad no-trade and his contract is so odious that only a few clubs could afford him. It seems ludicrous to suggest but maybe us Sox fans should hope that New York keeps him. After all, the year after Seattle got rid of him they won 116 games.
Or perhaps we should think about the possibility of a Manny for Arod trade? If we are going to be under achievers wouldn't you rather under achieve with Arod in your line up every day than Manny maybe getting out of bed to play?
In any event the Tigers have earned a place of honor and admiration in the heart of every Sox fan. It is only right and just that we should attach our affections to them and pray to the baseball gods all the way to a World Series victory.
