Yanks Not To Be Confused With Max Rockatansky

Jayson Stark offers some Yankees stats -

ARE THE YANKEES DEAD?

This is another dangerous question, considering the Yankees are “only” 7½ out in the wild-card race. Of the 24 wild-card playoff teams since the invention of wild-card playoff teams in 1995, three of them — the 2005 Astros (-10½), the 2003 Marlins (-8) and the 2001 A’s (-8) were at least eight games out in that race by the end of May.

But just one of those teams (Houston) also had as lousy a record as the Yankees have now. And that doesn’t even factor in ugliness such as the Yankees’ 3-10 record in one-run games. Or the fact that, until Wednesday, they hadn’t won one (0-7) road game against an AL East team.

Or that, after scoring more runs than any team in baseball in April, they went through a 19-day stretch in May in which they scored the fewest runs in their league. Or that they’re 11-24 when Alex Rodriguez doesn’t homer.

One thing we know, however, is this: They’re not catching the Red Sox. No team in history ever has been 14½ games out before June and come back to finish first. And only the Miracle Braves were that far back at any point and wound up playing in October.

The Yanks hadn’t won one road game against an AL East team before yesterday?

It’s a good thing they only have 6 road games against AL East teams in June. Maybe that’s a break for them?

May 31, 2007 | Filed Under Math Class

Comments

4 Responses to “Yanks Not To Be Confused With Max Rockatansky”

rbj on May 31st, 2007 2:03 pm

“No team in history ever has been 14½ games out before June and come back to finish first”

Of course, there was one team that was 14.5 games out in July that finished first. . .

But I don’t see this team doing a repeat.
Garcia on May 31st, 2007 2:08 pm

Every long winning streak starts with win #1. The Yanks got it out of their system and they’ll be great in boston. 10 1/2 games out Monday morning.

Let’s go Yanks!!!!
Let’s go Yanks!!!!
Let’s go Yanks!!!!
Let’s go Yanks!!!!
Let’s go Yanks!!!!
Gabe on May 31st, 2007 2:32 pm

“And that doesn’t even factor in ugliness such as the Yankees’ 3-10 record in one-run games.”

I mean really, this is 2007, why doesn’t someone gainfully employed as a baseball writer know that the yankees’ bad record in one run games is a GOOD SIGN that they will turn things around somewhat.
Raf on May 31st, 2007 3:50 pm

I mean really, this is 2007, why doesn’t someone gainfully employed as a baseball writer know that the yankees’ bad record in one run games is a GOOD SIGN that they will turn things around somewhat.
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Doesn’t make for a good story?

To be honest with you I’ve never been particularly impressed with the writings of Jayson Stark. That applies to most baseball writers, come to think of it.