Baby Bombers Revitalizing the Yankees

The staple of recent Yankee teams have been high priced, veteran superstars. With eleven straight postseason appearances including four world championships, this has been a recipe for success. However, after the string of championships that ended in 2000, the Boss and fans everywhere have been disappointed by the inability of these stars to produce another title. As successful as they've been, something has been lost in recent years. Many of the stars the Yankees have brought in have been past their prime or simply tough to root for because they made a name for themselves elsewhere. The homegrown talent that had become the backbone of their championship teams (guys like Jeter, Rivera, Williams, Posada), were diluted with aging stars who have yet to produce in October. The Yankee philosophy has evolved in to relying solely on high price free agents or trading for stars with contracts their former employers wished to unload. The past offseason followed the same trend as the Yankees refused to allow an unknown player assume centerfield duties. Although the team had high expectations, the Yankees potent offense struggled to find its groove in many early season games. With injuries to slugging outfielders Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui, a dark cloud hung over the Bronx.

However, the injuries have served as a blessing in disguise. With lineup positions made available, young stars Andy Phillips and Melky Cabrera have been given a chance to shine. Behind a make-shift lineup, the Yankees have gone on an incredible tear producing runs at higher rates than the vaunted early season lineup. As Michael Kay appropriately dubbed them in Tuesday night's broadcast, the Baby Bombers have infused the normally "business as usual" team with much needed energy. They've become more fun to watch than any Yankee team in the last several years, playing hard defensively and producing clutch hits. While they may not be the Bronx Bombers of the past few years, their lack of reliance on the longball has helped them win more tight games. It was evident in Tuesday night's thrilling 2-1 decision over the Red Sox when slugger Jason Giambi drew a game winning walk in the bottom of the seventh. To preserve the lead in the top of the eighth, Cabrera robbed Manny Ramirez of the game-tying homerun with the catch of the year. In postgame remarks, Bernie Williams went so far as to say it was one of the greatest catches he has ever seen given the situation and importance of the game. In other words, if it was a September game against the Royals with the postseason clinched in the top of the first, it would have merely been a web gem. But no, this was Boston in a one-run game at the Stadium. The top of the eighth with a reliever in desperate need of more confidence boosting against a hated opponent. For a Yankee fan, the pleasure of seeing someone rob Manny of a home run is akin to the pleasure of a proud parent hearing their son/daughter's first words. To see a twenty-one year old Yankee farm system product make an acrobatic catch to rob Manny? Multiply that by ten. A year ago, after watching Melky struggle, I pleaded with people to give the kid a chance. Although at that point I really only liked him for his name, but I figured the kid deserved a chance. Now he's developing a legion of believers, and you better believe I'm on board. He's pushing Sheffield right out of his 2007 option and I couldn't be happier. The excitement he has brought, along with emerging first basemen Andy Phillips, has been refreshing. They've broken up the monotony of watching Yankee games and given fans a reason to believe in the farm system again. If Cashman can resist the temptation of dealing one of the many young stars (current Yankees Cano, Wang, and Cabrera, along with prospects Eric Duncan and Phillip Hughes), Yankee fans have reason to be excited for years to come. The "Baby Bombers" are capturing the hearts of Yankee fans, and more importantly, triumphing over the Red Sox.