Texas Media On Yankees

From the DFW Star-Telegram -

Still, we don’t think the Bronx Bombers are quite as imposing as the Yankees teams from 1996-2000 that broke the Rangers’ hearts three times in the playoffs on their way to four Series championships in five years.

Five reasons why the Yankees are not as scary as they used to be:

The Johnson Five: Despite a 5-2 record, Randy Johnson isn’t dominating hitters like the Big Unit of yesteryear. His ERA is 5.02. Mike Mussina (4-1, 2.31) has been the staff ace but has a habit of fading. And with Carl Pavano still on the disabled list, we find it hard to believe that Chien-Ming Wang, Shawn Chacon and Jaret Wright are reminding anyone of Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, El Duque, David Cone, or even the rotund David Wells.

Assisted living in the Bronx: With the exception of second baseman Robinson Cano, who is 23, every Yankees starter is 30 or older. The average age of starting position players is 32.2, and it’s 33.2 when Cano is given a day off. Their subs include catcher Kelly Stinnett, 36, and Miguel Cairo, 32. On off days during road trips, the Yankees usually get the early bird specials.

Poor pen-manship: The Yankees no longer have the lights-out bullpen that characterized their World Series champions. Mariano Rivera might still be the game’s best closer and has five saves in six opportunities, but he also has an 0-2 record and 3.38 ERA in nine games. Of course, those numbers look great if you’re Francisco Cordero.

Small ball going, going, gone? Those four World Series champions were a versatile bunch with role players, such as Scott Brosius, Chuck Knoblauch, Joe Girardi and Paul O’Neill, who would hit timely home runs, but also play hit-and-run, lay down a sacrifice bunt and find different ways to win. This Yankees team certainly lives up to its Bronx Bombers heritage, but it’s often feast or famine on offense. Kind of like the Rangers.

Curse of Big Papi: Let’s face it, will the pinstripe fear factor ever be the same after the biggest choke in baseball history, when David Ortiz and the Boston Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit to beat the Yankees in the 2004 AL Championship Series? The Florida Marlins were so giddy after beating the Yankees in the World Series in 2003 that they decided they couldn’t top it and have virtually disbanded.

OK, I’ll give him the concerns over the Yankees starting pitching. But, the age thing is no biggie. The 2001 Diamondbacks were old and won a ring.

But, the pen comment is F-O-S. Right now, the Yankees bullpen ERA is 2.80 which is the best mark in the A.L. And, the “small ball” comment is wrong as well. As of this morning, the Yankees have 10 sac-bunts this season – which is tops in the A.L.

Lastly, on the “curse” suggestion. Didn’t Boston already prove that there’s no such thing as a curse?

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